After years undermining public faith in local hospitals and using taxpayers funds for trips abroad for medical care, government officials will now be faced, up close, with stark reminders of the shortcomings of the public health system that continues to exist under their watch.

But regardless, a long history of failed promises also doesn’t inspire hope things could change after the outbreak. “The situation has shed light on how deficient our healthcare system is…but once this issue is done, we will return to status quo,” says a doctor employed by the government who asked not to be named.

As it turns out, even without the option of traveling abroad, some officials do not appear willing to entrust their health to government-owned hospitals while expecting millions of Nigerians to do: rather than submit to one of the government’s isolation and care centers for coronavirus, Abba Kyari, Buhari’s powerful chief of staff, has already made personal arrangements for his treatment.

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