The umbrella Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has frowned at the overseas treatment of President Umaru Yar’Adua, who has been in Saudi Arabia for the past 28 days for treatment of a heart condition.
In a statement after a meeting of the National Executive Council of the association in Uyo, southern Akwa Ibom state, Monday, NMA expressed ”deep reservations about the resort to treatment abroad by the na tion’s leaders”
It urged them to ”take measures that will engender confidence of all in our health system”.
Since assuming office in May 2007, President Yar’Adua has travelled to Germany and Saudi Arabia a number of times for medical treatment.
Nigeria’s political leaders routinely travel abroad for medical treatment, with India now emerging as the new destination of choice for many.
President Yar’Adua’s current medical trip abroad is the longest since he assumed office, and has generated widespread controversy across the country, especially because of the dearth of information on his state of health and due to his failure to officially transfer power to his deputy.
On Monday, the country’s main opposition Action Congress (AC) called on the government to provide a daily briefing for Nigerians on the President’s treatment in Saudi Arabia.