An Indian hospital has featured former Nigerian military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), in an online promotional campaign for its orthopaedic services after he underwent knee replacement surgery at the facility.
Krishna Shalby Hospital in Ahmedabad released a video showing the former Nigerian leader during his treatment and recovery, including sessions of physiotherapy and exercises with medical staff.
The promotional material, shared on the hospital’s social media platforms, described Abubakar’s treatment as a milestone in international healthcare and used his recovery to highlight the facility’s services to overseas patients.
The footage showed the former Head of State in hospital attire walking along the facility’s premises while undergoing rehabilitation exercises. Photographs of some of his associates, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima, were also included in the montage.
In a separate social media post, the hospital said Shettima met one of its doctors, Vikram Shah, during a visit to discuss Abubakar’s condition. The facility said the visit demonstrated the confidence of international patients in healthcare services in India.
A message reportedly entered by Shettima in the hospital’s register thanked Shah for his care of the former military leader and for helping restore his vitality.
It remains unclear from the material whether Abubakar authorised the hospital to use details of his treatment and recovery in its promotional campaign.
The former military ruler had previously disclosed suffering from a swollen knee. He cancelled his 80th birthday celebration in June 2022 after the condition left him unable to walk for several days and said his doctors had advised him to seek specialist treatment abroad.
The hospital’s use of the former Nigerian leader’s treatment in its publicity has also triggered debate online, with some Nigerians questioning why prominent Nigerians continue to seek specialised medical care abroad amid concerns about the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
