Frederick Rwang
As 38-year old Frederick Rwang lies helpless inside the car that brought him to the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, he has only one thought – survival.
According to his father, Gyang Rwang, Frederick suffered from a relapse from a head injury he had during the 2001crisis in Jos. He said that Frederick was initially treated at the Our Lady of Apostles Hospital, but he kept complaining of constant headache.
The older Rwang told our correspondent that his son collapsed after complaining of severe headache and was first brought to the hospital 24 hours before the strike began.
“We came here on Monday and after seeing the doctors, some tests were carried out and we were told to come back today (Thursday) for the results. We had come to keep the appointment when the strike caught began.
“When we came in this morning, we met the whole place deserted. When we inquired, we were told that the doctors were on strike. Now that the doctors are on strike, the nurses just told us to wait and collect the results and if by the weekend, the strike continues we will be forced to go to another hospital.”
Like Frederick, 54-year old Rhoda was one of those who could not be discharged from the hospital because she could not walk. According to her sister, Nanchin, Rhoda had an accident and sustained some fractures in her back. She described her situation as helpless as her sister just lay on the bed without anybody attending to her.
Grace Ikhuria
Mrs. Grace Ikhuria, 85, was diagnosed with breast cancer two weeks ago. She was receiving treatment at the Gbagada General Hospital Lagos until July 1 when the doctors’ strike began. Now, she is at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
Lying on her bed with a pipe connected to her body to aid the free flow of urine, the octogenarian looked helpless. Her grandson, Bright, who has been looking after her since she was admitted at the hospital said he would not forgive doctors and the government if anything happens to her.
“When the strike began, they gave us a referral letter and asked us to come to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. When we got here, there were no doctors around so the nurses just did a quick check on her and gave her a bed. She has been lying on the bed since Tuesday unable to move any part of her body. She doesn’t even speak to me. I won’t forgive the doctors and the government if anything should happen to her.
He said, “I’m so distressed, by now she should have been on a steady path to recovery.”
Mrs. Rose Oburo
Mrs. Rose Oburo is one of the two patients left behind at the female surgical ward of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State.
While other patients have since been moved out, she is still lying on her back on her bed in the ward because she has not settled her hospital bills.
The hospital’s management had directed that all patients on admission be discharged following the strike.
“I have been here for two weeks now. Although I have been discharged, I cannot go home because I have to settle the hospital bills first.
“Even if I go home, who is going to attend to me? I will go as other people have gone,” she said.
Mrs. Joy Bartholomew is tending to her younger sister, a sickle cell anaemia case, whose condition has been made worse by a bed sore.
Bartholomew said, “she is now stronger,” talking about her sister, whose condition is so serious that she could not talk.
Ajibola on his sick bed
About three weeks ago, after a June 10 meeting of the National Officers’ Committee at its National Secretariat, the Nigerian Medical Association came up with a 24-point demand. It called on the Federal Government to meet the demands so as to avoid an indefinite nationwide strike on July 1.
Today marks the sixth day of the nationwide strike which has crippled health services in various public hospitals across the country and left many patients and their relations lamenting.
For the ordinary Nigerian who can barely afford quality health care in a country with one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the world, two major points highlighted by the NMA resolutions stick out:
“That government should expedite the passage of the National Health Bill (NHB), and extend Universal Health Coverage to cover 100 per cent of Nigerians and not 30 per cent as currently prescribed by National Health Insurance Scheme.
“Government should as a matter of urgency set up a health trust fund that will enhance the upgrading of all hospitals in Nigeria.”
According to the NMA, the body was “taking this painful route” of going on an indefinite strike “in order to save the health care delivery system from anarchy that is imminent.”
“The 24-point demand can be looked at holistically in three categories; the administration of health care delivery system in Nigeria, the renumeration of doctors, and the health benefits that the general populace should have,” the Publicity Secretary, NMA, Lagos chapter, Dr. Peter Ogunnubi, told SUNDAY PUNCH.
At a press briefing during the week, the NMA President, Dr. Kayode Obembe, expressed disappointment over the deadlock in negotiation between the body and the Federal Government.
He said, “We had a meeting with the Federal Government. We tabled our minimal demands; the government did not agree with NMA, but there is no end point. Some were referred to the court. There was no end point. While this was going on, the government was issuing out circulars favouring other health workers.”