The Chief Medical Director of Afe Babalola University Multi-System Hospital (AMSH), Dr. Akinola Akinmade, has said that late former President Muhammadu Buhari might still be alive if he had received treatment at their world-class facility in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Dr. Akinmade expressed confidence in the capabilities of AMSH, citing its advanced medical technology and team of highly skilled professionals.

“If we had been the one attending to the former president, we would have done everything possible to keep him alive and functional,” he stated.

Criticism of Medical Tourism

Dr. Akinmade’s remarks were part of a broader criticism of Nigeria’s political class, many of whom regularly seek medical treatment abroad, despite the availability of well-equipped local hospitals.

He described the reliance on foreign medical care as “unfortunate” and detrimental to the development of Nigeria’s health system.

“Our hospital has consistently been ranked among the best-equipped in Sub-Saharan Africa,” he said. “We fight for every life.”

The comments came following a recent statement by Femi Adesina, former Special Adviser to President Buhari, who claimed the late president would not have survived if he had stayed in Nigeria for medical treatment.

AMSH's Growing Track Record

Dr. Akinmade highlighted AMSH’s achievements, including a partnership with Marengo Asia Hospitals, a leading medical group in India, to enhance surgical excellence and specialization in Nigeria.

Since the partnership began, AMSH has successfully conducted nine kidney transplant procedures through a joint team of Nigerian and Indian surgeons.

The hospital's Renal Centre, equipped with 27 dialysis machines — including dedicated machines for patients with infectious diseases — performs over 400 dialysis sessions monthly, ranking it among the busiest in the country.

Recognition and Appeal to Government

Due to these milestones, AMSH recently received a national award for:

“Redefining Standards in Hospital Management, Clinical Delivery, Patient Experience and Innovation within Nigeria’s Healthcare System.”

Dr. Akinmade credited the hospital’s success to Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), the founder and legal luminary whose mission is to make top-quality healthcare accessible to all Nigerians.

He also appealed to the government to rehabilitate the Ado-Ijan Road, describing it as a vital corridor for emergency transport and logistics. Its current state, he warned, is a serious risk to healthcare delivery in the region.