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| Mohammed Atiku. |
I, Mohammed Atiku Abubakar, wish
to inform Nigerians that I have finally been cleared and discharged after 40
days of coronavirus (Covid19) treatment.
My
discharge could not have come at a better time than in the Ramadan, a season
marked by sacrifice and supplication to the Almighty Allah.
I
thank the Almighty Allah for my recovery from the dreaded infection and also
wish to express my sincerest and deepest appreciation to Nigerians for their
prayers and goodwill while I was being treated.
In
the course of life, we have no idea of what will happen to us because only the
Almighty God knows our future. When the coronavirus first broke out in far away
China, I had no idea that I might be one of those to be infected. This is one
of the everlasting lessons I can't forget for the rest of my life. Indeed, I
have been humbled by this experience. Words cannot sufficiently convey the
depth of my joy over my recovery and discharge.
Since
I tested positive after my return from abroad and my isolation for treatment, I
was inundated with incredible expressions of goodwill by Nigerians. This
pandemic has united the rich and the poor and, indeed, the rest of the world
against this novel lethal virus that has caused economic and social disruptions
globally.
No
matter our problems, however, we shouldn't lose hope in our own country.
Despite the limitations of our health system, the Federal Ministry of Health
and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control have done tremendously well, despite
these daunting challenges. Our doctors, nurses and other front line health
workers also deserve accolades for their sacrifices and professionalism during
this challenging period of our country.
Every
epidemic or pandemic comes with its lessons. The coronavirus has caught the
world off guard and sent us reeling for solutions. It also reveals the
weaknesses of our health systems in the developing world. It's an eye opening
experience for Nigeria and other developing nations.
Thanks
to coronavirus outbreak, we are now coming to terms with the necessity of
adequate funding of our healthcare system. This disease has brought the rich,
the poor and the powerful to a common level. This is the time our policy makers
should reset our national priorities and give our health system adequate
attention. No investment in our health sector is too much.
In
October 2016, the then Nigeria's Minister of State for Health (currently the
Minister of Health), Dr. Osagie Ehanire was quoted by The Guardian Newspaper as
saying that Nigeria was spending a whopping $1 billion dollars annually on
medical tourism abroad. This revelation is a reminder of the urgent need to
mobilise resources towards upgrading our health system at home in order to
render medical tourism almost unnecessary. It's time to restore confidence in our
own health system and that can only be achieved by adequate investment and
funding.
No
less important, our policy makers should also adequately fund research in
vaccines and other drugs because of the uncertainties and challenges like the
coronavirus.
Once
again, thank you for your support and prayers, may Allah show up for you at
your appointed time of need. May the Almighty Allah be with all those still in
the Isolation Centre and grant them healing.
Signed:
Mohammed
Atiku Abubakar.
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