Do Not Attribute Medical Tourism Statement To Osinbajo – VON DG Clarifies

BEVERLY HILLS, August 25, (THEWILL) – Not Attribute Medical Tourism Statement To Osinbajo – VON DG Clarifies

The Director General, Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, has declared that comments on medical tourism, allegedly attributed to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo by media reports on Thursday, August 24, should not be attributed to the VP.

There had been reports that Osinbajo, at a National Health Dialogue symposium organised by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), had decried the enormous amount of money Nigerians spend on medical tourism in other countries, and that medical tourism was draining Nigeria’s reserves.

However, Okechukwu, who represented Osinbajo at the event, in a statement on Friday, debunked the report insisting that the views captured in the said report were not to be attributed to the Vice President.

“My attention has been drawn to the media reports attributing my remarks yesterday at the Premium Times Healthcare Seminar to our dear Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON,” the statement read.

“While I stood in for the Vice President at the said event, I also did express my own views at the said seminar, including those regarding the Medical Tourism and the attendant concerns and challenges.

“These views as stated during the event are not to be attributed to Prof. Osinbajo.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I spoke in the context that President Muhammadu Buhari’s health plan will drastically minimize Nigerians expenditure on medical tourism.

“I cited for instance the loans meant for the establishment of health system projects and standard medical facilities in the $29.9 billion soft loan basket pending at the National Assembly.

“In the same vein, the Vice President, at different times, has consistently reiterated that the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, remained committed to improving public services in the area of basic education and primary healthcare, and the general livelihood of all Nigerians.

“Prof. Osinbajo (SAN) has also assured that, despite challenging times, the government will make resources available to fund quality healthcare nationwide through the development of specialist hospitals.”