Obasanjo: No Nigerian Child Should Die of Malaria

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s healthcare system, lamenting that millions of citizens still travel long distances to access medical care, with many losing their lives to preventable illnesses.

He said it was a tragedy that, in an era of artificial intelligence, a child in Nigeria could still die from malaria simply because her mother could not afford transport to the nearest clinic.

Obasanjo made these remarks at the unveiling of the Care365 Health Hub in Abuja, an event chaired by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.).

The initiative, originally conceived in the United States and now introduced in Nigeria, is designed to revolutionize access to healthcare. A key feature is the Care365 Health Monitoring Kiosk — a self-service smart device for immediate health checks such as blood pressure, sugar level, BMI, and oxygen levels.

Speaking as chairman of the occasion, Obasanjo said the project directly addresses one of Nigeria’s most urgent national issues.

“Looking back at the Nigeria we dreamed of at independence, and later during my years in leadership, healthcare was never intended to be a privilege of the rich or those in the cities. It was supposed to be a basic right for every citizen,” he said.

“Today, millions still walk miles to get medical help. Many die of conditions that could have been prevented, while countless others live in places where the nearest doctor is hours away and only reachable by bad roads.”

He stressed that Care365 was not just another piece of technology but a breakthrough that could improve healthcare access, especially for rural dwellers.

“This is about responsibility, not charity. Leaders, policymakers, and community figures owe it to citizens. It is unacceptable that, in a world of artificial intelligence and space travel, a Nigerian child should die from malaria because her mother lacked transport fare to a clinic. It is unacceptable that young people in remote communities lose their sight untreated simply because there is no eye center nearby.

“These are not just infrastructure gaps but failures of compassion and leadership. Care365 shows us that technology should serve humanity — to connect, to include, and to make healthcare available to everyone,” he added.

Obasanjo closed his remarks with optimism, saying, “Nigeria will rise, but that rise must be for all, not just a privileged few.”

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, described the launch as a practical and innovative way to ensure healthcare remains affordable and accessible.

“Innovations like this not only improve services but also create jobs. Technology allows schools, hospitals, and systems to work more efficiently. Digital transformation is the backbone of a stronger health sector,” Pate noted.

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General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), chairman of Care365, said the project would help address access to care but emphasized the need for continued support.

“This is only the beginning. Solving Nigeria’s healthcare challenges requires contributions from everyone,” he said.

Founder and CEO of Care365, Ngozi Odumuko, explained that the hub was created to make Nigerian healthcare more affordable, accessible, and reliable, modeled after systems in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

“The vision is simple — quality care that is both affordable and accessible for all Nigerians. We are working with federal agencies to ensure no citizen is left behind,” she said.