Reuben Abati, anchor of Arise Television’s Morning Show programme, has called on the Minister of Health, Mohammed Ali Pate, to prioritise strengthening Nigeria’s primary healthcare system before acquiring a health emergency helicopter.
Abati’s comments came after a video went viral showing Pate reportedly in France negotiating agreements for the purchase of the helicopter.
Speaking on the state of the nation’s hospitals, Abati said, “Many hospitals in this country lack oxygen. The primary healthcare system that was promoted by Professor Ransome-Kuti has collapsed. Why don’t we start at that level? Even at federal government-owned elite hospitals, you don’t have basic facilities.”
The former presidential spokesperson questioned the utility of the proposed helicopters, asking, “Who is going to ride the helicopters? It’s for the elite. If somebody collapses on Awolowo Road now, will they bring a helicopter? And how are they going to distribute these helicopters across Nigeria? Where are the helipads? Which hospital in this country has helipads?”
Abati urged the government to focus on ensuring that hospitals have fundamental services such as electricity, water, beds, and oxygen before investing in high-cost emergency aircraft.
“Let us start with the basics. Let us build hospitals that have the basic facilities for the people,” he said.
He added that while the helicopter acquisition is reportedly still at the discussion stage, “the only consolation is that it’s still being discussed. So this ecosystem they want to create must begin with functioning hospitals, not helicopters for the few.”
