The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has reacted to the
news that President Muhammadu Buhari left Nigeria to
treat his ear infection in London, UK, on June 6, Monday.
Tanko Sununu, the general secretary of the NMA, stated
that there are competent ear, neck and throat (ENT)
specialists who can take care of the president’s recurring
ear trouble.
Meanwhile, Sununu added that the medical body could not
take a conclusive position regarding Buhari’s decision to
travel until it received details of the president’s health.
But, the NMA is yet to receive any details from the
president’s personal physician.
He said: “In Nigeria, we have very competent ENT
surgeons in the country. We have a lot of competent ENT
surgeons throughout the federation.
“Up till now we haven’t gotten the details from the
president’s physician. Officially at the moment, we cannot
comment on whether the president’s trip was right or
wrong based on the fact that we don’t know the extent of
the condition. We are made to understand that they had
conversations with Nigeria’s ENT surgeons along with his
personal physician. So, I don’t know if it is the
assessment of the ENT surgeon that warranted him going
out for further evaluation and treatment.”
Sununu further clarified that President Buhari couldn’t seek
treatment without a recommendation from a physician in
Nigeria.
“You can never do away with the referral in medicine. Just
like I said in the morning, we only make official
pronouncements based on the information that is available
to us.
“We don’t want to make a hasty judgment on what we
don’t have rightful information about. Health is an issue
that has to be devoid of political inclination. We want to
base our judgment on the facts,” he stated.
The rumours of President Buhari ill health grew when the
leader of the nation canceled his scheduled trip to Niger
Delta last week. Rather the president asked his vice Yemi
Osinbajo to represent him.
Later, Buhari also canceled his official visit to Dakar,
Senegal for the 49th extra-ordinary summit of the
Economic Community of West African States.
However, Femi Adesina, presidential spokesperson,
debunked rumours adding that anyone saying the
president is sick is lying.
On June 6, Monday, President Buhari departed Nigeria for
London where he is expected to see specialists over what
the presidency described as “persistent ear infection.”
The statement said that Nigerian doctors recommended
Buhari to receive treatment in London.