• Nigeria’s presidents don’t need to seek medical treatment abroad anymore – First Lady
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, inaugurated the new N21 billion Presidential/VIP Wing of the State House Medical Center, located within the precincts of Presidential Villa in Abuja.
President Buhari said the new state-of-the-art facility will boost health infrastructure in the country by far, calling for the judicious use of the facility to maximise its benefits.
The Presidential/VIP Wing of the State House Medical Centre, which was conceptualised by the previous administration 11 years ago, was officially unveiled by the President on Friday.
Accompanied by the First Lady, Dr. Aisha Buhari, members of the first family, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, and the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Tijjani Umar, the President toured the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (CathLab), Operating Rooms for regular and specialised procedures, Intensive Care Unit, Specialized Infectious Disease Isolation Suites, and Specialised consultation rooms.
He expressed satisfaction with the fully-equipped and operational medical facilities at the centre, noting that in the past eight years, holistic health care had been given a priority.
During his tour of the facility, President Buhari interacted with the local medical staff who received specialised training on handling the advanced equipment available at the facility.
Speaking at the brief inauguration ceremony, First Lady Aisha Buhari, noted that the facility will stop the need for the president and his family members to go abroad for medical treatment.
The First Lady who spoke to journalists after President Buhari had caught the tape and concluded a guided tour of the facility said she brought the idea of executing the project six years ago, following the extensive stay of her husband abroad for medical treatment.
She said 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 in medical experts to assist their colleagues in the country.
Asked for her impression of the new medical center, Mrs Buhari said: “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.
On whether the medical centre will now make it unnecessary for Nigerian leaders to go abroad for treatment, she responded: “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,” she said.
The State House Permanent Secretary explained that the VIP facility was 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,’’ Umar said.
He recounted that the concept of establishing a medical facility within the seat of government was conceived in 2012.
According to him, this initial idea resulted in the creation of a project brief in 2013, outlining the objectives, scope, and specifications for the facility’s construction.
However, it wasn’t until 2020 that President Buhari gave his approval for a comprehensive geotechnical survey and assessment of seven potential sites, he said.
‘‘Mr. President selected this site for the project after he had gone round to personally inspect the proposed sites. This led to the development of a concept design, taking into consideration the specific requirements of its intended end – user.
‘‘The contract for the construction of the facility which occupies a floor area of 2,485 square metres across one suspended floor and a basement, was awarded to Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria, Plc as a turnkey project after a rigorous evaluation process and the site handed over to them in August, 2021.
‘‘However, it was on 1st November, 2021 that actual construction started after a ground – breaking event led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari and the project was completed on schedule and on budget in December, 2022.
‘‘All this was achieved due to the singular resolve and resilience of His Excellency Mr. President to address the long – identified need for such a facility and to bequeath a worthy legacy in this regard.