By Our Correspondent
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has reacted to the news that President Muhammadu Buhari left Nigeria to treat his ear infection in London, UK, on June 6, Monday.
Tanko Sununu, the general secretary of the NMA, stated that there are competent ear, neck and throat (ENT) specialists who can take care of the president’s recurring ear trouble, Premium Times reports.
Meanwhile, Sununu added that the medical body could not take a conclusive position regarding Buhari’s decision to travel until it received details of the president’s health.
But, the NMA is yet to receive any details from the president’s personal physician.
He said: “In Nigeria, we have very competent ENT surgeons in the country. We have a lot of competent ENT surgeons throughout the federation.
“Up till now we haven’t gotten the details from the president’s physician. Officially at the moment, we cannot comment on whether the president’s trip was right or wrong based on the fact that we don’t know the extent of the condition. We are made to understand that they had conversations with Nigeria’s ENT surgeons along with his personal physician. So, I don’t know if it is the assessment of the ENT surgeon that warranted him going out for further evaluation and treatment.”
Sununu further clarified that President Buhari couldn’t seek treatment without a recommendation from a physician in Nigeria.
“You can never do away with the referral in medicine. Just like I said in the morning, we only make official pronouncements based on the information that is available to us.
“We don’t want to make a hasty judgment on what we don’t have rightful information about. Health is an issue that has to be devoid of political inclination. We want to base our judgment on the facts,” he stated.
The rumours of President Buhari ill health grew when the leader of the nation canceled his scheduled trip to Niger Delta last week. Rather the president asked his vice Yemi Osinbajo to represent him.
Later, Buhari also canceled his official visit to Dakar, Senegal for the 49th extra-ordinary summit of the Economic Community of West African States.
However, Femi Adesina, presidential spokesperson, debunked rumours adding that anyone saying the president is sick is lying.
On June 6, Monday, President Buhari departed Nigeria for London where he is expected to see specialists over what the presidency described as “persistent ear infection.”
The statement said that Nigerian doctors recommended Buhari to receive treatment in London.
