As the rest of the world grapples with the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, in Nigeria, hundreds of patients have been left unattended as doctors say there is no going back until their needs are met.
An indefinite strike by doctors since last Thursday has paralyzed medical services at public hospitals in Nigeria — leaving hundreds of patients stranded.
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria on Strike<br><br>Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria on Strike<br><br>National Association of Resident Doctors on Strike<br><br>Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics on A<br><br>The President is UK for a 19day medical checkup.</p>— Uneku "Clark Kent" 20/10/20 (@UnekuE) <a href=”https://twitter.com/UnekuE/status/1379717000528814083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>April 7, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
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Some of the patients say the government should do what is necessary so that the doctors can resume work fully.
“I advise the government to be serious with the doctors. I am here and I see how it is, it is not easy. Government should take the lives of its people very seriously,” said Nehemiah Josua, Patient.
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>What’s bursting my head is Nigerian politicians going to the UK to get treated by Nigerian doctors who left Nigeria to the UK because the politicians refused to pay them well back home.</p>— Lagos Machine Gun??✈️ ? (@jackflyboy) <a href=”https://twitter.com/jackflyboy/status/1377694782298939392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>April 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
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However, scores of patients say the strike could aggravate their pains and health conditions as medics stopped working — adding that they have to wait for hours to see an available doctor.
“Instead of the government to maintain and increase the facilities in the hospitals and pay the doctors to do their work, they prefer to go outside the country for treatment,” said Eze Kelvin, a patient.
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>My mum’s sister, a Matron who lived/worked as a Nurse in the UK ?? for many years decided to come back to Nigeria ?? to contribute her quota. She died in hospital when Medical Doctors went on strike. This patriotism thing, don’t preach it to me. Let government solve the problems.</p>— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) <a href=”https://twitter.com/OgbeniDipo/status/1378078256725905411?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>April 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
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“I think the position of doctors in this country is very important, so whatever they are demanding to improve their services towards patients, the government should meet such demands,” Margret Iyara, a patient said.
According to the Public Relation Officer, National Association of Resident Doctors, Dotun Osikoya it is unfortunate they have to go on strike during this critical period — adding that they are open to dialogue with the authorities.
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Doctors are on strike<br><br>Judiciary workers will join tomorrow.<br><br>Polytechnic lecturers will also begin theirs tomorrow.<br><br>South East is boiling<br><br>Nigeria is on panic mode <br><br>Buhari is in London taking care of himself.<br><br>An incurable BIG MISTAKE was made in 2015!<br><br>But we warned them.</p>— Miz Cazorla (@MizCazorla1) <a href=”https://twitter.com/MizCazorla1/status/1379159807249235977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>April 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
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“What are we actually asking for? It is about our welfare, our training as resident doctors. Some of our members are being owed 2-3 months’ salary in some federal institutions. We have in some states like Abia state Teaching Hospital, they are being owed 20 months’ salary, In Imo teaching Hospital, it’s 5 months’ salary, it’s wrong because these people have families,” Osikoya added.
Despite risks associated with their profession, there have been numerous complaints of poor remuneration and welfare of health workers in Nigeria
Source: Africanews
