Counting down to President Buhari’s next medical vacation
President Muhammadu Buhari had in April 2016 relayed a statement via the Director, Media and Public Relations, Ministry of Health, Boade Akinola, that the Federal Government would not provide funds to any government official to travel abroad for medical treatment unless the case cannot be handled in Nigeria.
As it turned out, Mr. President broke that promise barely a month later in early June 2016 when he was flown to London to be treated for an ear infection.
Along with two medical vacations he has been on this year and the report of Aso Rock clinic not having the commonest of medications leaves us wondering when Buhari would be out of the country again.
Following the 10-day trip to London to treat an ear infection in 2016, Buhari embarked on a 52-day medical vacation between January and March 2017.
But by May, Buhari was back in London for another medical vacation with Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, installed as Acting President.
Between 2016 and 2017, over N3.8 billion has been budgeted for the State House Medical Centre yet Buhari has been to London three times since last year, cumulatively spending about five months there.
And with four months left in 2017, it will be no surprise to see Buhari embark on another medical vacation before the year runs out.
This is so because there has been no report stating the Aso Rock clinic has been equipped with necessary drugs to ensure proper treatment.
Also, the state of the nation remains quite tense for a man in his mid-70s to control.
What with the Biafra agitations, Boko Haram, the Nigerian economy, flood in Benue, ASUU strike, the 2018 budget to prepare and the list of issues that will way Buhari’s frail figure down goes on.
Let’s not forget the rats that took over his office too.
All this makes it only a matter of time before the president is off to London once more.
