Why Presidents Don't Need To Travel Abroad Over Health Issues — Aisha Buhari

Aisha Buhari, the First Lady of Nigeria, has stated that future Presidents of the country and their family members do not need to travel abroad to seek medical treatment.

The First Lady made this known during the commissioning ceremony of the newly inaugurated N21bn Presidential Wing of the State House Medical Centre located in the premises of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Joining the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) and other dignitaries for the ceremony, Aisha said the idea of the Presidential Wing was birthed in 2017 after her husband, the President,'s extensive stay in London for medical treatment.

President Buhari went on a medical expedition to London for 104 days in 2017.

Aisha stated that with the medical facility now ready for use, Presidents and their family members may only have to fly medical experts to Abuja to assist their associates, rather than going on expensive travels.

“I’m quite happy, feeling fulfilled. Though we are leaving but all the same, we thank God the project has come to reality.

“I have opted for it six years now. I initiated this project six years ago when my husband spent three months abroad, consecutively, 90 days. And it shouldn’t be because we have all the experts in Nigeria. We only need a good platform.

“The hospital that is supposed to serve the First Family is serving like 35,000 people which is quite much. That’s why I insisted we should have a VIP Wing within the proximity of the presidential villa,” she said.

Responding to whether Nigerian leaders will no longer have to receive medical treatment abroad, the First Lady said:  “Yes! This one is for the health and wellness of the First Family. They don’t need to go abroad now. They only need to maybe fly in experts to help our people. You know.

“So, no need for any leader to spend months and months abroad because of health care.”