Vice President Yemi Osinbajo opted to have his thigh surgical procedure in Nigeria for nationalistic considerations, according to presidency sources.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, on Saturday, announced that Osinbajo had been scheduled for a surgical procedure.
He later announced that the operation was successfully carried out, adding that the Vice President would be on admission at the hospital for a couple of days.
Nonetheless, sources in the Presidency revealed that Osinbajo opted to have the procedure performed in Nigeria to reinforce confidence in the country’s healthcare system, as well as reverse medical tourism.
“Although his doctors advised him to consider doing the surgical operation to correct a fracture on his right femur (thigh bone) abroad, the Vice President insisted on using a Nigerian hospital and medical experts for the procedure.
“According information obtained from the Duchess International Hospital, where the operation was carried out on Saturday, some of the government and private practice doctors of the VP made the suggestion because the going abroad option is often usually considered by such class of patients and at times the option could also seem more seamless,” a source said.
One of the experts who coordinated the operation, the founder of the Reddington Hospital, Dr. Yemi Onabowale, was quoted as saying: “The VP was clear that he had confidence in Nigerian doctors both at home and abroad, and would prefer they handle the operation.”
The Vice President was also said to have argued that doing the operation in Nigeria would not only encourage local doctors, who are among the best anywhere in the world, but also further build on the medical infrastructure in the country.
A senior Presidency official, who pleaded anonymity, said it is true the VP was given the option to go abroad but he opted to have the procedure carried out here.
“The VP’s view is that most people don’t even know that the facilities exist here. Besides, we have some of the best doctors available anywhere,” the unnamed official said.