Doctors Have Certified Me Medically Fit, Says Obasanjo

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, revealed that doctors at the Bayelsa Specialist Hospital and state-owned Diagnostics Centre had given him a clean bill of health after undergoing a five-hour medical check-up at both medical facilities.

The ex-Nigerian leader who made good his promise to begin his annual medical examinations at the facilities when he first visited the state in February this year, noted that results of the tests carried out on him, aligned with those previously conducted by his doctors in Atlanta, United States.

Obasanjo said part of his vital organs examined by the doctors included the ones on his heart, the kidneys, liver, spleen, blood and urine.

He added that a scan was also conducted on his brain which showed that “my head is still correct,” adding that the examinations on his prostate, teeth, eyes and ears also revealed that he was still very sound.

The former president, who had earlier last Monday night attended a prayer vigil at the Government House Church, with Governor Seriake Dickson, disclosed that all he was charged was N350,000 for all the tests as opposed to the $25,000 (about N9 million) he would usually spend on his medicals in the United States.

“Last time, l was here in February, l did say that l would want to come and patronise the facilities because l was impressed with what l saw then. Having made that promise, l had to fulfill it. I started last night with the gadgets l had to wear to sleep to check my blood pressure while l am awake and while l am sleeping. This morning, l started with blood and urine tests.

“I went through the whole process of heart tests. They looked at other internal organs such as kidneys, liver, spleen and all the internal organs. Eventually, l had a semi-sleep in the MRI where my brains were examined and it may be of interest to you to know that the doctor said my head is correct,” he added.

Obasanjo, who later chaired the first Infant and Maternal Mortality Summit in the state held at the Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, said with the facilities on ground in Bayelsa State, there was no need for Nigerians to fly abroad for medical check-ups.

“Wherever we get best practices, let us spread it. When l was here last February, l saw the standard of the facilities here that could be used by all Nigerians. There is no need for a Nigerian to say he is going to Dubai, United Kingdom or America for medical checkups.

“I came here last night, before 1 p.m, what l started at 8a.m came to an end. I went through all the medical checks, that l would normally have gone through anywhere else – The eye, the mouth, the head and the doctor showed me what my brains looked like.

“When l looked, he said my brain is clean and clear and l said, it means my head is correct. Not only that the cost is reasonable, the services were superb. So, what people were going to Dubai, India, America, UK, Saudi Arabia for is here in Bayelsa State,” he noted.

He thanked Dickson for the warm welcome accorded him, and praised all the staff of both medical centres for their commitments, stressing that he remains a beneficiary of Dickson’s revolution in the healthcare sector in the State.

“I went through the machines, the way l used to go through them where l normally have my medicals at Atlanta, Georgia. We have trained Nigerians and the machine here. I got my results and it is the same thing l had in USA. The difference is that it is cheaper here than there.

“ I am also a beneficiary of the health insurance in Bayelsa State and l pay monthly. And again, it is good to know that health insurance is very good because when you are in need of attention and you don’t have money, you have insurance to take care of you.

“I have done and paid for one year and half. My health insurance is N14, 000 and my bill for my medical checks is N350,000. What l have gone through today is nothing less than $20,000 and $25,000 in America and that is millions of naira.

“I got my results and l am as fit as a fiddle. The doctor said the only thing l need to do is to drink more water. The same thing you can get anywhere in the world, you can get it here. Why do you have to travel?” the former president queried.

Also at the summit, Dickson announced that henceforth, pregnant women will be paid a total of N27,000 during their nine-month period from the point of registration.

“At this summit, I want to announce a government policy that in order to make it possible for every pregnant woman to deliver safely, in order for us to know that every pregnancy is accounted for, supervised and supported all through up to delivery, the government is announcing a safe maternity allowance of N3,000 per month to every pregnant woman in Bayelsa State,” he added.