Former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar has appeared in promotional material by Krishna Shalby Hospital in Ahmedabad, India, following his knee replacement surgery at the facility.
The hospital shared videos and photographs of the former military leader during his treatment and recovery as part of a campaign promoting its international patient services.
The promotional material features Abubakar undergoing physiotherapy and exercises with medical staff. It carries messages including “A milestone in international care” and “Clinical Excellence Beyond Borders.”
The hospital also shared images involving Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who visited the facility and met with Dr Vikram Shah to discuss Abubakar’s recovery. Shalby described the visit as evidence of growing confidence in Indian healthcare and its services for international patients.
In a message recorded at the hospital, Shettima thanked Shah for taking care of Abubakar and helping restore his vitality.
It remains unclear whether Abubakar gave permission for the hospital to use details and images from his treatment for promotional purposes. Reports have, however, confirmed that the hospital identified him as a former Nigerian president and said he underwent total knee replacement surgery there.
Abubakar’s previous knee problem
Abubakar had previously spoken about suffering from a knee problem in 2022, when he cancelled celebrations planned for his 80th birthday.
He told TheCable at the time that his knee had swollen and prevented him from walking for several days.
His doctors initially treated the condition before advising him to seek specialist care abroad.
Sowore reacts
The hospital’s use of Abubakar’s recovery in its promotional campaign has sparked reactions on social media, with the development renewing debate over medical tourism and Nigeria’s healthcare system.
African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore criticised the former Head of State after sharing the hospital’s promotional video on X.
Sowore argued that Nigerian leaders who had opportunities to improve the country’s healthcare system still travel abroad for specialised treatment.
He described the development as an indictment of what he called decades of poor leadership and neglect of Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Sowore also referenced President Bola Tinubu, suggesting that a hospital in France could someday use the Nigerian President in a similar advertisement.
The comments have added to the broader debate over the reliance of prominent Nigerians, including political leaders and former office holders, on foreign hospitals for specialised medical care.
The circumstances surrounding the hospital’s use of Abubakar’s images have also raised questions about consent and the use of patients’ treatment experiences in healthcare advertising.
