Krishna Shalby Hospital, based in Ahmedabad, India, has featured Nigeria’s former military head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar, in its online commercial for knee surgery, raising further concerns among Nigerians about the state of the country’s healthcare system.

The video promoting the hospital’s orthopaedic services was shared across the facility’s social media platforms, showing Mr Abubakar recovering from knee replacement surgery at the facility.

With the taglines ‘A milestone in international care’ and ‘Clinical Excellence Beyond Borders’, the montage comprised photos and videos of Mr Abubakar’s treatment and recovery to promote the hospital as a destination for medical tourism.

The video includes short clips of the Nigerian leader, dressed in loose hospital clothing, undergoing physical therapy and exercise with a nurse along the hospital’s walkway.

It also features photographs of some of his associates, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima, alongside Mr Abubakar.

In another video, Shalby Hospitals said Mr Shettima met with a doctor, Vikram Shah, to discuss Mr Abubakar’s health. The hospital said the visit “reflects the growing trust in India’s healthcare and Shalby Hospitals’ commitment to caring for patients from across the world”.

Mr Shettima, in a register at the hospital, thanked Mr Shah ”for taking good care and restoring the vitality” of the former military leader.

It’s unclear whether Mr Abubakar consented to the publication of his health status or the use of his treatment and recovery details as promotional material, but he cancelled his 80th birthday celebration in June 2022 due to a swollen knee.

“I had a swollen knee and was unable to walk for days in the last week of May,” he told TheCable following the cancellation. “After initial care by my doctors, they advised that I should seek further expert care abroad. That was why I had to cancel my birthday programme.”

The hospital’s montage has since generated criticism from Nigerians who have, over time, raised concerns about the country’s health system and reliance on medical tourism by leaders and top politicians. Many Nigerians attribute the situation to poor leadership.

“Shame on Abdulsalam and Tinubu! With all the money they got from Nigeria as leaders, they couldn’t build good health care facilities in Nigeria,” a Facebook user, Hungbeme Wenayon, wrote.

“It’s rather tragic and a betrayal of the country they milk for their personal gain,” Adesoji Ojediran said on Faceboo. “Posterity won’t forgive them.”

“Just imagine,” Ade Ogidan stated on the platform. “We should constitutionally compel all our public office holders to patronise only public health institutions, and their children should attend only government schools.”

Val Eze said, “Knee replacement can even be done in Nigeria sef. We have the required expertise across the health professions.”