On Sunday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, dodged questions about using Nigerian health facilities if he is elected president in 2023.
Atiku refused to agree to use the facility during a town hall meeting hosted by Arise TV in collaboration with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).
The Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party’s (NNPP) flagbearer, Rabiu Kwankwaso, both attended the event.
Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, did not attend the event.
During the event, an anchor asked if the presidential candidates would declare their health status if elected, and Atiku said he would if necessary.
The former vice president, when asked if he was prepared to use facilities in the country said;
The Nigerian health facilities that carter for my health may not be available. You know that we have limitations. We have been talking about those limitations.
On his plan for ensuring that healthcare delivery is readily available and affordable, Atiku said;
I will review the Nigeria Health Insurance Scheme system initiated while I was Vice President, and make it inclusive and affordable for all Nigerians.
We need to first address the issue of primary healthcare. After addressing this, which affects the majority of our citizens, then we can focus on the secondary and tertiary levels. The truth is that we are not investing enough as a government in the medical sector.