Isaac Adewole, minister of
health, says President Muhammadu Buhari receives medical treatment abroad
because Nigerians do not know how to handle information.
Adewole was reacting to the
criticisms trailing the president’s medical trips abroad.
Speaking to THISDAY, Adewole said
the president, as an individual, is entitled to his privacy.
Describing Nigeria as a strange
country, he said Nigerians have no respect for people’s right to
confidentiality.
He said the case of Yusuf, the
president’s son who was involved in a motorbike accident, is an indication that
the privacy of a patient could be easily compromised in the country.
“You have forgotten that as our
president, he is also an individual. Unfortunately, we still, as a country, we
cannot handle information,” Adewole said.
“The president’s son was
operated; they said he was dead. You see, it is a strange country; and so, we
do not respect people’s right to privacy and confidentiality. We also have no
respect for doctor-patient relationship.
“The same person who went abroad
was the same person who said, let my son be managed in Nigeria. I was at the
centre; people said let the boy be flown abroad. The president said no. All he
asked was, ‘Can they manage him in Nigeria?’ I said, yes, and he said, ‘Go
ahead’”.
The minister further explained
that Buhari’s frequent medical trips abroad do not mean he has abandoned the
nation’s health sector.
“He is committed to improving the
health sector, and working hard to make it something everybody would be proud
of. But you know doing this would not happen overnight,” he said.
“So, let’s not over flog it. To
me, it’s a non-issue. Like the upgrade we are doing for cancer, it has taken us
almost one year because things have to be properly done. You can’t buy a
radiotherapy machine if there is no proper assessment.
“So upgrading the health
facility, he is committed to that. But it’s not going to happen immediately.
And we are working hard to make sure that things are in proper shape.”
The minister had earlier said
Buhari insisted that Yusuf should be treated in Nigeria, adding that he only
went to Germany for rehabilitation.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com