India Hospital Uses Ex-Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar in Promotional Material
Pecohub Former Nigerian Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar has been featured in promotional material by an Indian hospital following his knee replacement surgery there.
The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows Mr Abubakar receiving care at Krishna Shalby Hospital in Ahmedabad, India, including footage of him walking and exercising after the procedure.
The hospital has also used images of the former Head of State and Vice President Kashim Shettima in posts promoting its services to international patients.
In an Instagram post on Monday, the Indian Hospital said Mr Shettima visited the facility and met its management to discuss Mr Abubakar’s progress and wellbeing.
The hospital described the visit as a reflection of the “growing trust in India’s healthcare” and its commitment to caring for patients from across the world.
“When patients travel across borders for specialised care, their trust means everything,” the hospital said.
It is not immediately clear whether Mr Abubakar’s treatment was fully sponsored by the federal government.
However, under the Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State (and Other Ancillary Matters) Act, former Heads of State and their immediate families are entitled to free medical treatment in Nigeria and treatment abroad where necessary at federal government expense.
The law also provides other benefits, including diplomatic passports, protocol privileges, official vehicles, office and residential accommodation, security and annual vacation at federal government expense.
Nigerians react
The hospital’s use of Mr Abubakar’s treatment in its promotional material has generated reactions from Nigerians.
Activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore was among those who reacted after sharing the promotional video on X on Tuesday.
“This is former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, being used in a hospital advert after undergoing knee replacement surgery in India,” Mr Sowore said.
He questioned why Nigerian leaders who had opportunities while in government to develop the country’s healthcare system continue to seek specialised treatment abroad.
Mr Sowore said the development was a reflection of what he described as “decades of failed leadership and neglect of Nigeria’s healthcare system”.
Aloy Ejimafor, a barrister, also criticised the development in a Facebook post.
Mr Ejimafor described it as a “diplomatic insult” for an Indian hospital to use Mr Abubakar’s image in an advert for knee replacement surgery in India.
