The last First Family of Nigeria spent 301 days seeking medical care abroad at a time when the domestic health system is struggling with a variety of issues, including a lack of funds, deteriorating infrastructure, brain drain, and, most importantly, corruption.

Former president Muhammadu Buhari, his wife Aisha Buhari and their son, Yusif Buhari formed the trinity within the former First Family that flew in and out of Abuja to Europe and the Gulf for treatment.

Leading the pack was Buhari who spent a cumulative 225 days seeking medical attention, starting February 2016 with an ear infection and ending May 2023 with a dental issue.

In between the two, were a series of routine medical check-ups and a protracted 154 days in 2017 in London for an undisclosed ailment.

Incidentally, with days to the end of his term, Buhari in the company of the First Lady inaugurated a newly furnished state-of-the-art presidential wing of the State House Medical Center, SHMC, at Aso Villa, the presidential complex.

Aisha Buhari during the event restated the fact that with the new facility, there is no need for any president to go for medical care abroad.

A quick look at the budgetary allocation for the SHMC gives a fair idea of how much Nigeria has sunk into securing the healthcare of workers at the presidency.