Nigerian Health Sector

SCENIC SCENARIOS: THE WAY FORWARD (2)


We are still discussing the avenues that ought to be embraced by the Nigerian government to ensure that, vision 20:20:20 becomes a reality, or to ascertain a developed society. In the previous edition under same topic, we extensively discussed the power sector. This edition shall be discussing the health sector exclusively.

Since my last edition on power, I’ve been receiving series of reactions/opinions, though positive. The most remarkable one was the text message that came from one of the ladies. In her remarks, she said, apart from being a journalist, she feels more comfortable addressing me as an educator. I screwed down to get the full gist. She added that, from her view so far, she observed that, my major interest in journalism is education; stating that, I pay great attention in educating people through my journalistic prowess. She concluded with the clause; “ keep it up! ” Honestly, the lady was right. I believe the best way to educate people is to hide under the umbrella of the media so you can reach out to the entire public; and, this is what I’ve been doing ever since I found myself in journalism. So, this topic, so far so good, is mainly interested in the government, federal govt to be precise. Let’s ride on!

Health is a state in which you’re fit and well. In other words, it’s the condition of one’s body. So, a healthy person/animal is well, therefore, not suffering from any illness. Moreso, if you’re healthy, you could be described as a hearty person. A hearty individual is cheerful and energetic. In a nut shell, if one is hearty, he/she is automatically healthy, and vice-versa.

Frankly speaking, our intimate prognosis will never come to past if this area (health) that deals directly with people’s life or welfare is not adequately and specially considered. Of course, I’m not kidding because it’s a fact. Yes, a fancy fact!

One fateful weekend, saturday precisely, at about nine in the morning (9.00 am), the message tone of my humble handset rang to inform me that an sms just came in. I opened my inbox to find out the content of the message, and as well, who sent it. The sender happened to be one of my best friends; based in Abuja. And the message reads, “ Gud moni FDN,” I’m popularly known by that name/initials (FDN) and that is what most of my bossom friends call me. Sorry for the break in transmission. The sms continues, “...I’m typing this message from a hospital seat, government hospital to be precised. But, the worst of it is that no medical personnel is ready to attend to any patient. According to them, they’re on sit down strike. And I’m seriously ill. My condition requires an urgent diagnosis. Please, what should I do? “ After the perusal, I was deeply touched by the mood of the sms. I quickly dialed his number and luckily for me, the call went through. I asked him to leave the hospital immediately for a private hospital. He responded that, since his adulthood, he had never patronized any private hospital. According to him, their staff are bunch of quacks and he wouldn’t like a quack to take care of him,. To worsen it, he concluded that the laboratory machines of those hospitals are not trustworthy. I wasn’t meant to argue with him; my optimum interest was his health condition. Still on the phone conversation, I let him know that, he had no choice, therefore, must dance to my tune. He saw reason with me and decided to leave for a near-by private hospital. To cut the story short; he was treated in a private hospital, and was discharged that same day.

Brethren, what prompted the above story was the issue of rampant strike or industrial action that takes place in our various government hospitals. If hospitals in any given nation/country continually embark on industrial action(s), then, the lives of the citizenry are at stake, and cannot be guaranteed. It’s a shame! Yes, very shameful and disgusting phenomenon. This simply means, we’re still living in the past; the era of, “ you’re on your own, “ in terms of medical attention. It looks like a mere dream or cock and bull story for one to be informed that, a country like ours that is richly blessed with both human and natural resources is still living in the past.

Believe me, in this country, there’re adequate hands that can put any medical (health) situation to stop. Most of our medical personnel are qualified for this; some of them has even left the country for else-where in search of government that truly (sincerely) appreciates the importance of life or man-power. Brethren, our only problem in the health sector is nothing but inadequate infrastructure and medical facilities, coupled with poor incentives for the personnel.

If I die while preaching this gospel, I’d be happy in the grave because I succeeded in passing the message. Yes, the evangelism has been actualized. But, I shall not die; I shall live to profess His goodness and mercy.

Let’s tell ourselves the truth; total overhaul is required in the Nigerian health sector. Nigeria is old and too rich for this continual experience of tokenism. Yes, most times the medical labourers participate in a strike not because they truly want to be part of it, but because, they were asked or mandated to do so. Most of them believe in watching others fight on their behalf; we shy away from our responsibilities. The government should please save this set of people from this on-going moment of terror.

Let’s begin with the infrastructural phase. The dilapidated structures in the name of hospitals scattered all over the nuks and crannies ought to be automatically renovated. The proprietors of the private hospitals should also be mandated to carry-out such action. A hospital building and environment should be the most decent structure and area respectively in any given country. It’s a place where, by the special grace of God, lives are being saved, so, at all time, should deserve to be given honourable mentions.

And, for the members of, or workers in the various hospitals to be hospitable, they should be cartered for. The government should from time to time pump in incentives to encourage the medical/health workers (staff). Yes, they must look good to be cheerful and accommodating. And, one cannot look good if his/her welfare is at stake. I must confess; the government is trying to the best of my knowledge. But, additional effort is needed to ensure that, more smiles are ascertained in this great nation.

The last, but not the least, our hospitals should be well equipped. Out-dated equipment should be thrown to the bush. Yes, that’s where they belong. An efficient monitoring team should be set-up to ensure that, the private hospitals/clinics follow suit. Adequate and more valid medical machines (devices) should from time to time be imported. Believe me, our industrious engineers can even do the manufacturing if financially supported. And, this shall save us many stress as regards importation. It’s hightime the high-class citizens stopped leaving our noble country for others for the sake of medical check-up or treatment. Rather, they should contribute in reviving our health sector because all hands must be on deck. Even the number one citizen of the country patronizes the hospitals in other nations; what a shame! All these pathetic practices or indulgences are attributed to lack of, or inadequate medical equipment in our various hospitals/clinics.

Brethren, honestly the time to act is now. Don’t forget, bunch of tyros are not required if this must be actualized. And, of course, tyrant should never be found in the picture because we don’t need despotism or tyranny. Mind you, these vicarious pleasures ought to stop immediately.

See you next week for the subsequent edition on education. But, before then, you can send your reactions on this or any of the previous editions. Please, I advise you go by text messages. I promise to get back to you as soon as I receive your sms. Meanwhile, say no to procrastination!



COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Social analyst & activist

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frednwaozor@gmail.com

Reviving the Technical colleges

REVIVING THE TECHNICAL TRAINING COLLEGES IN NIGERIA


Regrettably, we generally tend to overvalue money and undervalue art. Honestly my intense feelings over the anomaly are truly sympathetic. Unequivocally, it’s so pathetic that the syndrome has been existing for decades now.

The above paragraph might sound off point to most ears; but it remains the foremost aspect of this edition. In other words, I may decide to quit at this juncture because I’m deeply of the view that the first paragraph has summarily presented and as well analyzed the business of today.

Maybe I’m yet to make a sense to you. The bone of contention is that the abstract of this work has been given. And with the abstract of any work, anyone can make a meaning from it if closely studied. Furthermore, anybody can develop a work of any length in subsequent to the given abstract without the assistance or presence of the progenitor of the original work.

Even a toddler can attest to the fact that science has done wonders and therefore remains impeccable. Science is the only field on earth that understands the language of experiment coupled with practice to the fullness. Experiment is an avenue through which one finds out or prove something. Thus, if one has an idea, it’s only through experiment that he can ascertain the product/result of the idea. Sciences as a discipline has been embracing this routine for centuries now, and it has been working smoothly for it (sciences). Apart from science, any other field/area such as arts can also encourage and indulge in experimental procedures. Experiment does not mean carrying out a certain work in the laboratory; it simply means, unravelling the mystery thereby ascertaining the fact. In a nutshell, it means utilizing a practical approach while in any activity. Generally speaking, any field of study can embrace the scientific methodology which is experiment or practice; and that’s exactly what we see or is being observed in various technical colleges/schools in existence.

Recently, most times I feel like gushing out tears each time I look around and see that Nigeria as a country cannot boast of any befitting government technical college across the federation. Most persons cheer over the syndrome; some laugh over it; some meditate on it; while only few jeer or cries over the nightmare. It beats my utmost imagination to see that some of our so-called leaders are among those who laugh or cheer over the anomaly which I personally tagged as a societal monster. Well, let’s ride on!

I wish to use this medium to make a fact clear to the Nigerian society, that, the country’s technological development cum enhancement shall remain a mirage if the grass-root is not properly addressed. We must endeavour to commence with the rudiments if our dream must yield a genuine product. Take for instance; most of the technical works done in China is being carried out by the school children. And I’m quite sure we’ve not forgotten so soon that barely few years ago China was placed as one of the ‘third-world’ countries in the world alongside with Nigeria. Fortunately today, China is amongst the world’s ruling class as regards science and technology. Unfortunately and pathetically, Nigeria is still topping the list of the third-world countries.

The Nigerian government ought to start now to fund and as well re-establish the dilapidated technical colleges situated in various location across the country. Let’s embrace the era of scientific methodology. It’s better late than never. But I’m afraid, if a drastic and urgent measure is not taken in respect to this canker, Nigeria is liable to be seen as an arena for mere jamboree in near future.

Brethren, every hand must be on deck to ensure that this cause we have embarked on yields a result that would be of global reputation in no distance time. And if the crusade must generate a worthwhile fruit, then we should acknowledge the fact that the starting point or the basis is nothing but sincerity. Yes, we must begin by telling ourselves the gospel truth. Think about it!

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FRED NWAOZOR

Social analyst & activist

My Tribute to Achebe

WHY AUTHORS OUGHT TO BE CONTINUALLY CELEBRATED: MY TRIBUTE TO ACHEBE

Brethren, even if I lack words, the thousands of pens lying in my household would continue to be unhappy if I remain silent. In other words, in most cases, silence could warrant a state of anarchy which may lead to unbearable mayhem or unimaginable massacre. Thus, these incessant fracases being witnessed almost on a daily basis on our roads could be attributable to the increasing rate of silence amongst our apex leaders.

Let’s take it this way. The last time I checked, millions of corpses belonging to various Nigerian citizens were peacefully or disturbingly lying in different morgue situated at strategic points across the federation. On this note, we are expected to realize that among these aforementioned corpses, some deserves to be given a thorough befitting burial to encourage and as well please billions of souls they mentored and left behind. Therefore in such circumstance, some of us who benefitted immensely from the deceased persons are expected not to be silent, rather ought to be chanting dirges coupled with eulogies in order to prove to the Chief mourners that we are also deeply touched by the forbidden departure.

Few days ago, one of my fans called from Orlu in Imo State to find out why she was yet to hear the outcry of my inks in respect to one of the global statesmen that just left the blessed earth. Having appreciated her concern, I sincerely asked her not to be in haste, stating that there’s time for everything. I further disclosed to her that my inks were still in comatose state, therefore lack words.

Beloved, we are discussing authors and why they should be continually celebrated. To start with, an author is a person who writes and compiles books.

You will bear me witness that the world would have remained blind or illiterate provided there is no profession known as writing. I always tell people and would continue to say it that, learning is not all about attending classes; it’s about telling yourself that you ought to know that which you’re yet and meant/bound to know. Summarily, learning can take place anywhere, and anytime. For such fact to be upheld, we must embrace reading. And, it’s no longer news that there’s nothing to be read if there’s nothing written. Thus, the chorus remains no writing, no reading. Q.E.D. In a nut shell, writing begets reading.

If truly that the globe cannot dwell successfully without embracing the writing profession, then what stops us from celebrating those found in such intense intellectual profession? To be frank and candid, writers/authors ought to be seen as God’s most leading messengers, therefore deserve to be regarded as apex celebrities. Honestly, the members of the writing profession are the people who are really liberating the universe from all sorts of bondages. Let’s ride on!

Having stated the fact that authors are global celebrities, I wish to use this avenue to sincerely inform us that some authors supersede others. This is what we call “hierarchy”. Yes, there are writers who are like gods to their fellow writers. And such set of people should not just be celebrated but ought to be immensely adored by all and sundry.

Few weeks ago, Thursday 21st March 2013 precisely, a global literary giant, Prof. Chinua Achebe who happened to be a member of the world’s leading stakeholders’ confraternity kicked the bucket leaving billions of immeasurable footprints behind, and alive too. Chinua Achebe (1930-2013) shot to the global literary stage with the iconic prose, “Things fall apart” in 1958. Presently his remains are peacefully lying in a morgue.

Sir, silver nor gold I’ve none, but I sincerely promise you that by His grace, my unborn great grand children shall live to chant eulogies in regard to your past worthwhile existence. And I shall live to proclaim the good gospel on the fathomless contributions you recorded towards the growth of mankind. I would have loved to financially contribute my quota as regards your forthcoming befitting burial.

Brethren, if I’m granted the room to earn my view in respect to the Late Professor Chinua Achebe’s forthcoming burial, I would say that the deceased deserves to be buried in a gold tomb. Mind you, I said “gold tomb” not golden tomb. Think about it!

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COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Social analyst & activist