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Saliu Mustapha: A Bastion of Hope in Health Care Delivery 

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Saliu Mustapha: A Bastion of Hope in Health Care Delivery 

 

By Mahmood Mahmood

 

Some scholars and theorists of mass communication, particularly those rooted in deontological ethics, like Immanuel Kant, emphasize duty and the inherent dignity of every individual in society. According to Kantian ethics, providing basic health care is a moral obligation as it respects the intrinsic worth of all individuals, while denying it violates their dignity. Similarly, Marxist and Socialist philosophers dwell on collective well-being and equality, viewing basic health care as a fundamental right that should be universally accessible to eliminate class-based inequalities.

 

In Nigeria, however, previous administrations’ allocations to the health sector have been inadequate, thus leaving the country’s healthcare system underfunded and plagued by infrastructural deficits, lack of equipment, medical consumables, and poor remuneration for health workers. These challenges have fueled the exodus of medical personnel, popularly referred to as the “Japa” syndrome.

 

Speaking at the 2025 National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the National President of MDCAN, Professor Mohammad Aminu Mohammad, revealed that only 6,000 consultants remained in the country as of February last year.

 

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He noted that approximately 1,300 consultants had left Nigeria over the past five years.

 

Mohammad explained that this number is likely to decline further due to the retirement age for medical consultants being set at 60 years.

 

He urged policy makers to design and implement sustainable and impactful strategies to improve health care delivery in Nigeria. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to address the critical challenges facing the sector.

 

Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of university teaching hospitals across the country recently called on the federal government to prioritize healthcare through improved salaries and provision of conducive work environments to stem the tide of brain drain. They stressed that improving the healthcare system requires a holistic approach, enhancing both the quality of services and access to them.

 

During a 2025 budget defense session at the House of Representatives, CMDs, including Professor Wasiu Adeyemo of Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Professor Jesse Abiodun of University College Hospital, Ibadan, raised concerns about tertiary hospitals becoming understaffed. According to them, poor remuneration remains a significant factor driving healthcare professionals out of the country.

 

Adeyemo noted that while the government has invested in hospital infrastructure, health care professionals continue to leave, largely due to economic pressures.

 

Similarly, Dr Pokup Bupwatda of Jos University Teaching Hospital emphasized the need for modern equipment, saying that outdated tools hinder professionals’ ability to deliver optimal care.

 

The 2025 national budget, however, brings a glimmer of hope. President Bola Tinubu allocated ₦2.48 trillion to the healthcare sector—5.18% of the total ₦47.9 trillion budget. Dubbed the “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” it prioritizes security, infrastructure, and human capital development, with a focus on Universal Health Coverage. The President spoke on plans to revitalize hospitals, procure essential drugs, and strengthen primary health care systems nationwide.

 

In developed countries, health care is often free, accessible to all regardless of socioeconomic status. Nigeria can aspire to this model, where citizens access adequate health care without financial constraints. The Marxist perspective, which criticizes the commodification of healthcare, underscores the necessity of free services, especially for low-income earners.

 

However, in a world where access to basic health care remains a privilege for many rather than a right, Senator Saliu Mustapha’s medical outreach programmes stand as a shining example of transformative leadership. His interventions echo the philosophies of ethical thinkers like Immanuel Kant, who argued that healthcare is a moral duty, and Marxist scholars, who view health as a fundamental right that should be free of commodification.

 

For Mustapha, a philanthropist, politician, and traditional titleholder of the Turaki of Ilorin Emirate, health care is not merely a sector, it is a lifeline that must be accessible to all.

 

Representing Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, the legislator, who has emerged as a beacon of hope amid the growing challenges in the health sector, has consistently prioritized healthcare of his constituents. Over the past year, more than 5,000 individuals have benefited from his free medical outreaches, a continuation of his long-standing commitment to public health even before his tenure as a parliamentarian.

 

Mustapha’s passion for health care is evident in his personal interventions, sponsoring surgeries within and outside the country without knowing the patients, paying medical bills, and providing hospital supplies both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. His efforts have addressed a wide range of medical needs, from kidney treatments to surgeries for children, adults and elderly patients.

 

Since assuming office, the Senator has facilitated multiple medical outreaches across Kwara Central including Tanke in Ilorin South, Oke-Oyi in Ilorin East, Gambari and the Emir’s Palace in Ilorin West, as well as Daudu Afon Palace and Alapa community in Asa Local Government Area. These programmes , staffed by skilled medical professionals, offered consultations, drug distribution, and surgeries for treatment of various ailments, such as vision impairments, malaria, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, musculoskeletal pain, peptic ulcer disease, asthma, rheumatism, urinary tract infections, gastroenteritis, pneumonia, respiratory tract infections.

 

It also provided treatment for critical conditions such as hernias, breast lumps, hydroceles, and appendicitis, with surgical operations arranged to address these issues for the beneficiaries.

 

An aide to the National Assembly member, Barrister AbdulKarim Alabi, noted that his principal’s commitment to health began long before he assumed public office.

 

Alabi recalled how Mustapha donated medical supplies and consumables worth millions of naira during Covid-19 pandemic and personally funded the treatment of numerous individuals within and outside the country.

 

The political aide to the Senator and a one-time Chairman of the defunct Congress for Political Change (CPC) in Kwara State, Prince Suleiman Tunji Buhari, described the Senator as a selfless leader, who is dedicated to alleviating the sufferings of his people, particularly in health and education.

 

Buhari described the parliamentarian as a man who dedicated his life to serving the common man in society. He noted that Turaki, as he is fondly called, believes his wealth and position were bestowed upon him by Almighty Allaah to serve the people, alleviate their sufferings, and address their needs. Buhari added that Turaki holds the conviction that he cannot rest easy with money in his bank account while his people are suffering.

 

At a recent outreach in Ita-Adu, Gambari Area of Ilorin East, and Daudu Afon, in Asa Local Government, over 1,500 people benefited from the outreach, while over 100 free surgeries were conducted including eye operations and distribution of corrective glasses.

 

Speaking to Journalists at the medical outreach, one of the professionals overseeing the programme, Dr Tijani Abdulrasheed, disclosed that the medical outreach consists of three key components: “The first segment focuses on free medical consultations and the provision of essential drugs to patients. The second addresses vision impairments by offering free eye surgeries and corrective glasses. The third targets surgical conditions, with operations conducted for cases such as hernias, breast lumps, hydroceles, and appendicitis.”

 

Abdulrasheed described the initiative as a commendable effort to tackle health care challenges in the district. He praised Senator Saliu Mustapha for prioritizing the well-being of his constituents and urged him to sustain the projects.

 

Also speaking, a legislative aide to the Senator, Alhaji Tunde Abdulkadir, emphasized that the initiative reflects the legislator’s dedication to improving health care access for his constituents.

 

He noted that the programme aligns with the health care delivery goals of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s commitment to ensuring basic health care services reach every part of the state.

 

One of the beneficiaries, Abdulrahman Ramat, expressed her gratitude to the senator.

 

“I had been struggling to afford my medications, but here, I was treated and given free drugs. I’m deeply grateful to Senator Saliu Mustapha for this support. May God continue to guide and bless him as he serves us”, she said.

 

Another beneficiary, Ibrahim Isiaq, who shared how the outreach transformed his life, said “I’ve battled eye problem for a long time, and this has affected my education. Today, I received free glasses and medication. I thank Senator Mustapha for this health care initiative and pray for his successes in all his endeavours”.

 

Speaking about the impact of the programme in her life, Alhaja Ramat Ahmed, another beneficiary, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Senator Saliu Mustapha for the transformative support.

 

“I struggled with cataracts for years and couldn’t afford the surgery. Today, I can see clearly, all thanks to Senator Mustapha’s kindness”, she added.

 

Attendees at the outreach, including key stakeholders from the All Progressives Congress and community leaders, commended Senator Mustapha’s initiative as a significant step toward addressing the persistent health care challenges the people of Kwara Central are grappling with.

 

In line with Islamic teachings, which emphasize assisting the needy, Senator Mustapha’s actions demonstrate a commitment to improving lives. His initiatives serve as a model for other philanthropists and public office holders, signposting the need to de-commodify health care and ensure free, universal access for all citizens.

 

It is hoped that health care will become universally free in Nigeria, in line with the principles of Kantian ethics, which emphasize the inherent dignity and rights of every individual, as well as the postulations of Marxist and Socialist philosophers, who advocate equitable access to resources and social services.

 

If health care is made free and accessible, Nigerians will no longer be forced to nurse their ailments at home or resort to traditional health care providers and herbalists due to financial constraints.

 

To achieve this, the government at all levels—federal, state, and local must prioritize the provision of basic health care services. This commitment should particularly focus on strengthening both the primary and tertiary health care systems, ensuring they are well-funded, adequately staffed, and equipped with modern facilities as well as medical consumables to meet the needs of the population.

 

Investments in public health education, preventative care, and improved access to medications are equally critical to creating a robust health care system that upholds the fundamental right to health for all citizens.

 

While commending Senator Saliu Mustapha for his giant strides in the health sector, it is believed that with the steps he has taken, Nigeria can move closer to building a society where no individual is denied health care due to financial barriers, thereby promoting social justice, equity, and the well-being of her people.

 

Mahmood is an Abuja-based journalist and public affairs analyst.

 

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