Wife of the president, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has said that the N21 billion State House Medical Centre at the Presidential/VIP wing of the State House, Abuja will discourage Nigerian presidents and their families from travelling overseas for medical treatment.
She stated this yesterday at the inauguration of the medical centre Aisha Buhari.
Addressing journalists after President Buhari had cut the tape and concluded a guided tour of the facility, she said she brought the idea of executing the project in 2017, following the extensive stay of her husband abroad for medical treatment.
According to her, now that the facility is in place, Nigerian presidents and their family members will no longer need to go abroad for treatment but may only fly medical experts to assist their colleagues in the country.
“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.
“I’m quite happy, feeling fulfilled. Though we are leaving but all the same, we thank God the project has come to reality.
“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.”
Earlier in his speech, the president said the new medical facility would boost health infrastructure in the country tremendously and called for the judicious use of the hospital to maximise its benefits.
He expressed satisfaction with the fully-equipped and operational medical facilities at the Centre, noting that in the past eight years, holistic health care has been given a priority.
During his tour, President Buhari interacted with the local medical staff who received specialised training on handling the advanced equipment available at the facility.
Accompanied by members of his family, the Senate president, Ahmad Lawan; chief of staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari and the permanent secretary of the state house, Mr. Tijjani Umar, the president toured the cardiac catheterisation laboratory, operating rooms for regular and specialized procedures, intensive care unit, specialized infectious disease isolation suites, and specialised consultation rooms.
Also speaking, Umar said the VIP facility is intended to be a one-stop shop for the provision of medical services to the president, vice president and their families, as well as other VIPs.
“The establishment of the facility reflects Mr. President’s commitment to prioritising the health and well-being of Nigerians,” he said.
