|By Babatunji Wusu-
-Group says ex-presidential aide insulted millions of Nigerians
-Urges public to hold politicians accountable for healthcare failures
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State chapter, has condemned former presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, for his recent comments about the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system, calling them “an insult to Nigerians.”
Adesina, in a televised interview, had said the late former President Muhammadu Buhari might have died much earlier had he relied on local hospitals. He argued that the medical facilities and personnel in Nigeria lacked the capacity to manage Buhari’s health condition, which informed the decision to seek treatment abroad.
Reacting sharply, the NMA chairman in Rivers State, Dr. Diamond Tamunokuro, said Adesina’s comments were not only misleading but also disrespectful to millions of Nigerians who receive care daily from the country’s health institutions.
“It’s an insult to well-meaning Nigerians to hear such statements from politicians and political appointees,” Tamunokuro stated during an interview “There are citizens who receive everything from basic to specialist treatment within the same system Mr. Adesina ridiculed — and they have lived even longer than President Buhari.”
He went further to describe Adesina’s comments as a self-indictment of the administration he once served, noting that the government’s failure to develop the healthcare sector has been a long-standing issue.
“For him to make such a statement, it means he has openly acknowledged that he and the administration he worked for were a complete failure in healthcare delivery,” Tamunokuro said.
The NMA chairman urged Nigerians to begin interrogating the intentions of political leaders, especially regarding the welfare of citizens and development of national infrastructure.
“Nigerians should ask politicians if they’re genuinely concerned about the country or simply feeding fat off public funds,” he said.
He added that many Nigerian doctors continue to work under harsh conditions to improve healthcare delivery, often without adequate government support.
“Doctors in Rivers State and across the country are making sacrifices every day to expand the scope of care, and citizens are receiving quality treatment. What we need from government is the enabling environment to do more,” Tamunokuro emphasized.
He urged political leaders to stop seeking medical attention abroad and instead invest in strengthening local healthcare systems. “Rather than running abroad to receive care, politicians should invest money in healthcare and see how the quality of care for Nigerians can improve,” he added.
Tamunokuro concluded by calling on Nigerians to demand better policies and accountability from their leaders, especially in matters affecting national wellbeing like healthcare.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari died in London on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at a private clinic following a prolonged illness. He was 82. He was buried in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday, July 15.
