Retired military medical doctor and first African winner of the World Health Organization, WHO, Gold Award, Brig. Gen. Oviemo Ovadje has given reasons why unqualified Filipino doctors were invited to give medical attention to late Head of States, Gen. Sani Abacha.
He said the Presidency in Abacha’s regime used the Filipino doctors because they were cheap.
Ovadje explained further that Abacha’s aides rated the Filipinos high so as to make huge money from his ailment.
He told Vanguard, “Filipino doctors are not seen as expatriates. I wonder why German and English doctors were not invited.
“If the Presidency did not trust home grown doctors, why not even Nigerian doctors in Europe and America who are doing very well?
“The truth is that Filipino doctors were among the poorest paid medical doctors world over (earning $200 – $500/monthly at the time).
“Those working in public hospitals could earn very low wages; they rode bicycles in their countries.
“These doctors were brought in to attend to our Head of State as expatriates.
“I am aware that they were rated highly, about $10,000/monthly but received $2,000/monthly, while our corrupt government officials shared the difference, which is what was in it for them; being the only reason for going for poorly trained doctors.
“I have always tried to help and contribute to our health care delivery system, but those of us not only gifted but also selfless enough to help are often blocked and refused access.
“Filipino doctors are not better than Nigerian doctors.”
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