First Lady, Aisha Buhari, today returned home from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, with a call to Nigerian health providers to take advantage of government incentives to improve their services and reduce medical tourism abroad.
Writing on her Twitter handle, she said she was in UAE for medical treatment, hinting that this was avoidable if health institutions in Nigeria were better funded.
She also admitted the midair near mishap experienced during her flight back home in a presidential jet flown by the Nigeria Airforce, and commended the crew for the professionalism that saved the lives of all passengers.
The tweet read: “I want to use this opportunity to thank all Nigerians for their prayers and well wishes while I was away for medical treatment in the United Arabs Emirates (UAE). I am well now and fully recovered and had since returned back home, Nigeria.
“On our way back, the Nigerian Airforce Flight encountered a violent clear air turbulence which was navigated safely and professionally by the Captain and crew of the Flight.
“I want to commend and appreciate the courage and professionalism of the Captain and his crew, the wonderful gallant service men and women of the entire Nigerian Airforce for their dedication to duty and the quality of maintainance of its Fleet.
“I recall hosting the private healthcare Providers earlier in the year and we had a very productive engagement where the issue of building the capacity of Nigeria health sector was the major focus, and funding was discovered to be the major challenge.
“I therefore call on the healthcare providers to take the advantage of the Federal Government’s initiative through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines for the operation of NGN100 Billion Credit Support for the Healthcare Sector as was released recently contained in a circular dated March 25, 2020 to the Commercial Banks. This will no doubt help in building and expanding the capacity of the Nigerian health sector and ultimately reduce medical trips and tourism outside the country.
“Once again, I thank our frontline workers, and all Nigerians for their steadfast as we navigate the challenges facing the entire world.”
The First Lady was on the flight with her one of her daughters, Hanan, who is set to get married in a few days.
