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African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticised the use of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in promotional material by an Indian hospital following his knee replacement surgery.
Abubakar underwent total knee replacement at Krishna Shalby Hospital in Ahmedabad, India, according to the hospital, which specialises in orthopaedic care and treats international patients.
The hospital subsequently featured Abubakar’s treatment in promotional material highlighting its medical services, triggering reactions on social media and renewed discussion about Nigeria’s healthcare system and medical tourism.
Reacting to the development, Sowore questioned why Nigerian leaders who had opportunities to influence the country’s healthcare system while in office continue to seek specialised treatment abroad.
“This is former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, being used in a hospital advert after undergoing knee replacement surgery in India,” Sowore said in a post.
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The 2027 presidential candidate went on to criticise successive Nigerian leaders over the state of healthcare infrastructure in the country.
“These so-called ‘experienced leaders’ had every opportunity while in power to build first-class healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Yet, in old age, they travel abroad for the very medical care they failed to make adequately available at home and can even end up as advertisements for foreign hospitals,” he said.
Sowore also extended his criticism to President Bola Tinubu, suggesting that Nigerian leaders could continue to feature in promotional campaigns for foreign hospitals.
“At this rate, perhaps one day a hospital in France will be using a Nigerian president, Tinubu for its adverts,” he said.
Describing the situation as a reflection of what he considers longstanding failures in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, Sowore added: “What a tragic indictment of decades of failed leadership and neglect of Nigeria’s healthcare system.”
