Across the African continent, it has become almost routine. An African president or top politician quietly boards a plane, often in the dead of night, heading to Europe, the Middle East, or Asia for “medical checks.” These trips, costing millions in public funds, and reflect a deeper crisis that cannot be ignored. The continent’s continuing failure to build and trust its own health systems.
From Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari, who spent over 200 days in London hospitals, to Cameroon’s Paul Biya’s frequent visits to Switzerland, Abdel Aziz Boutefilka of Algeria’s treatment in France and Switzerland, Michael Sata of Zambia dying in a London hospital, the death of Felix Houphouet Boigny of Cote d’Ivoire in France, Gabon’s Ali Bongo Ondimba hospitalized in Saudi Arabia and Morocco, and Zimbabwe’s late Robert Mugabe who sought treatment in Singapore, the list is long. Our own current Vice-President was away for almost 45 days seeking medical attention abroad. Many other ministers, MPs, and officials join the silent exodus each year, usually without public disclosure of costs or conditions. Then there are the female politicians and those with close links to politicians who prefer to go abroad and deliver their babies.
“When leaders themselves refuse to use local hospitals, what message are they sending about the value of African lives?” … Prof. PLO Lumumba, Kenyan scholar and anti-corruption advocate
At What Cost?
While ordinary Africans die from treatable diseases, leaders spend billions collectively on overseas treatment. Each trip often involves chartering presidential jets or commercial flights, hotel bills for delegations, security details, daily allowances for accompanying family and officials, payment to top-tier hospitals in London, Paris, Geneva, or Dubai.
In some cases, as was likely with Nigeria’s repeated presidential medical trips, the cost runs into tens of millions of dollars over the years. And what’s worse, when death becomes inevitable, as it did for Yar’Adua (Nigeria), Michael Sata (Zambia), Meles Zenawi (Ethiopia), and others, even more is spent flying the corpse home.
All the while, back at home, citizens must raise funds via radio appeals and crowd funding to treat cancer, kidney failure, or complications from childbirth. Many live and die without access to a medical doctor or close to standard hospital.
“Medical tourism by the elite is not just an economic drain; it reflects the structural violence of inequality in African societies.” … Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Nigerian epidemiologist and former WHO official
Does it Even Help?
Despite flying abroad, several leaders have died in foreign hospitals or returned home in critical condition. The reality is harsh. Expensive care abroad can sometimes prolong life, but it cannot buy health, youth, or destiny. And the moral dilemma remains. Why should the poor die in neglected local hospitals while leaders use the national treasury to escape the same system they failed to build?
“Africa’s health crisis is less about scarcity of resources, and more about scarcity of ethics.” … Prof. Thandika Mkandawire, late Malawian economist and thinker
The Painful Irony
Africa is not poor in resources. Nigeria alone earns billions of dollars from oil annually. Angola, Ghana, Libya, Algeria, and many others have significant resource revenue. Even smaller economies spend huge sums on presidential trips, lavish motorcades, and symbolic projects. Imagine if a fraction of those funds were invested in healthcare.
Africa has the resources for state-of-the-art hospitals in regional hubs like Accra, Lagos, Nairobi, Cairo, or Johannesburg, equipped with MRI, radiotherapy, advanced surgical theatres, research labs, and staffed by highly trained African doctors, nurses, and researchers. These facilities can be linked via telemedicine to global institutions, to serve presidents and citizens alike, and even attract medical tourism from outside Africa.
“We must stop the leakages of health capital. Keeping resources at home is as critical as attracting foreign investment.” … Prof. Carlos Lopes, Bissau-Guinean economist and former head of the UN Economic Commission for Africa.
The Gaddafi Lesson
Under Muammar Gaddafi, Libya achieved one of Africa’s best healthcare systems, with modern hospitals and free treatment. Libyans, and even people from neighboring countries, benefitted until NATO airstrikes in 2011 destroyed much of that infrastructure in the war to topple Gaddafi. Libya not only proved that African countries can build high-quality healthcare, but it also shows that political instability can destroy decades of progress overnight.
“Development without sovereignty is fragile. Once external bombs fall, achievements can vanish overnight.” … Ali Mazrui, Kenyan-American historian and political scientist
Continental Hospital for Africa
Through the African Union (AU) or regional blocs like ECOWAS or SADC, African countries could jointly fund a Continental Centre of Medical Excellence, manned by Africa’s best medical brains, and open to all African citizens, not just presidents.
Europe did something similar with CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), where countries share costs and scientific talent. Same as the Pan Africa University, which is an example of pooling educational resources. Why not in healthcare? Such a center would save billions now spent abroad and keep resources on the continent.
“If we can integrate our airspace, why can’t we integrate our health infrastructure?” … Dr. Amina Mohammed, Nigerian development expert and UN Deputy Secretary-General
What Buhari’s Demise Teaches Us
The late President Muhammadu Buhari’s long illness, multiple treatments in the UK, and eventual passing reveal an uncomfortable truth. Running to foreign hospitals only delays the inevitable. What if the millions spent on flights and stays had instead modernized Nigerian hospitals, trained doctors, and retained medical researchers? It could have benefitted not just one man, but millions of Nigerians for decades.
“Building institutions, not exporting patients, is the hallmark of serious leadership.” … Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba
Are We Serious in Africa?
This question is not rhetorical. It should trouble every African.
Why do we trust foreign hospitals more than our own? Why do leaders promise to fix healthcare but run abroad at the first sign of illness? Why do citizens accept it, year after year?
“Until citizens demand accountability, leaders will keep behaving like customers of Europe, not servants of Africa.” … Dr. Mo Ibrahim, Sudanese-British billionaire and governance campaigner
A Vision Worth Fighting For
Imagine an Africa where presidents, farmers, teachers, and traders use the same modern hospitals. Hospitals where African researchers lead in treating tropical diseases and cancer. African hospitals where European leaders come to seek specialized treatment, thereby reversing the flow. It is possible, but it requires honesty, leadership, and above all, a rejection of the culture that says African solutions are never good enough.
We can reverse the trend by:
Building and funding continental and national centers of excellence; Paying doctors, nurses and all paramedics fairly, and investing in their training; Put an end the culture of secret presidential medical trips; and, Make it a matter of national pride to treat our leaders and citizens on African soil.
If Africa is truly to rise, it must begin by healing itself at home.
“We have the money. We have the minds. We just need the mindset.” … Prof. Calestous Juma, late Kenyan innovation scholar
Africa has the money. Africa has the brains. All that remains is the will. I end my write-up with: “Innaa Lillahi wa Innaa Ilaihi Rajioon”. Truly, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return. Being human, we are bound to make mistakes. May Allah pardon our shortcomings, and, Insha Allah, grant President Buhari a place in Jannatul Firdaws. Indeed, Allah is Most Compassionate and Most Merciful.
FUSEINI ABDULAI BRAIMAH
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