Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has strongly condemned the ongoing deaths of children from preventable diseases like malaria.
He emphasized that in a world where artificial intelligence and advanced technology are transforming healthcare, the loss of young lives to such illnesses reflects not only leadership gaps but also a lack of compassion and urgency in addressing public health challenges.
On Tuesday, while unveiling the CARE 365 Health Hub in Abuja, former President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed deep concern over the state of healthcare in Nigeria. He described it as unacceptable that millions of citizens still struggle to access even the most basic medical services, decades after independence and despite remarkable global advancements in medical science and technology.
He stressed that in today’s world—where artificial intelligence and modern innovations are revolutionizing healthcare—it is a tragedy that Nigerian children continue to die from preventable diseases like malaria simply because their families cannot afford the cost or distance of reaching a health facility.
Obasanjo pointed out that this crisis is not only about poor infrastructure, but more importantly, about failures of empathy and leadership across different levels of governance.
Highlighting the power of technology, he emphasized that digital tools and innovation can help drive healthcare inclusion, making essential services accessible to all. He firmly stated that healthcare should never be seen as a privilege for a few but as a fundamental right for every Nigerian. “It is not charity to the poor,” he said, “but a responsibility that leaders, policymakers, and patriots must uphold.”
He explained that the CARE 365 Health Hub developed through the support of private sector partners and healthcare experts demonstrates how technology can effectively bridge gaps in the health system. The hub features smart kiosks fitted with diagnostic equipment, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine services, providing communities with quicker, smarter, and more affordable access to essential healthcare.
He explained that the system will enable patients in rural and underserved communities to consult with licensed doctors, receive accurate diagnoses, and access treatment without the burden of traveling long distances.
Chairing the event, Obasanjo described the health hubs as a groundbreaking model for healthcare delivery in Nigeria, comparing their potential impact to the revolutionary effect of mobile phones on everyday life.
“This is more than technology,” he emphasized. “It is a tool of social justice, a true game changer. It represents health security for every citizen.”
The former president reflected on the harsh realities faced by rural communities, where people are often forced to trek long distances just to access basic healthcare. In some villages, he noted, the absence of accessible roads leaves residents with no practical options for treatment.
He urged both federal and state governments to adopt the CARE 365 system as part of primary healthcare and emergency services, while also calling on development partners, financial institutions, and private investors to lend their support in scaling up the initiative.
According to him, true progress will not be judged by the number of apps downloaded or kiosks installed, but by the lives saved, the dignity restored, and the extent to which Nigeria’s life expectancy is improved.
With optimism, he declared that Nigeria will rise, but stressed that this rise must be inclusive beginning with universal access to quality healthcare.
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