MY ORDEAL IN THE HANDS OF HEALTH WORKERS IN UYO, AKWA-IBOM STATE

Until yesterday, the last time I visited a hospital for medical attention was in 2008 in Kaduna. I had attended the recruitment exercise to be enlisted into the Nigerian Army. I and other graduates seeking to be recruited as cadets of the 37^th Short-Service Course were conveyed to the Nigeria Military 44 Reference Hospital in Kaduna where a thorough medical test was conducted on us to ascertain our suitability or otherwise of becoming combatants. We had undergone different kinds of medical test in the foremost military hospital ranging from dental, blood to visual tests. Since then, I have not had any serious health issues that warrant me to seek for medical attention in a hospital, until yesterday.

Two days ago, my wife felt ill. It was serious. She had severe fever and headache, and also suffered nausea. She had no appetite. Like every other Nigerian would do, I had gone to buy her over-the-counter drugs hoping that they will palliate her pains and suffering. I bought her quinine and analgesic since she was showing symptoms of malaria. That evening, she got better and bounced back to her normal self. I was happy. However, my happiness was truncated the next morning, which was yesterday, when she relapsed. This time around, it was very serious; her body temperature was as hot as a burning furnace, and she was trembling like an earthquake. I thought of rushing her to the hospital. I dressed her up and carried her to the car as she was much debilitated to even stand up. I rushed her to the nearby Medical Centre: the University of Uyo Medical Centre. This was around 6:15am. 

It was difficult reaching the University’s medical centre because the access road from the burnt Vice-Chancellor’s office was dilapidated. The students had razed the Vice-Chancellor’s office and other property on the 12^th of June due to an irreconcilable difference that arose between them and the school authority. The main campus, which is somewhat a glorified High School, was deserted as we drove past the charred remains of the main gate.  Except for the school’s security guards, the policemen stationed at the front of the charred main gate and a couple of people who dawdled about, the university campus looked like a deserted war scene. The campus is suffering from double jeopardy: it was closed down indefinitely following the June 12 students’ unrest and the nationwide ASUU strike. I drove slowly through the Vice-chancellor’s office, through the Onyema Ugochukwu hall, through the University Senate’s chamber, and at last the Medical Centre. I parked, alighted and turned round to assist my wife down from the car. I supported her as we walked towards the hospital’s Reception with the sole aim of seeing a doctor. By then, it was 6:50am or thereabout.

To my greatest dismay, we were asked to wait for the doctor. The doctor on night duty had abandoned his/her duty post to God-knows-where. We waited, waited, waited, and waited for the doctor who did not show up. The Nurse on duty, certain that the doctor on night duty wouldn’t come, had urged us to wait for another doctor who is supposed to come and take over. Again, we waited. By this time, my wife was almost giving up the ghost. I got annoyed and we left the medical centre around 9:15am. We were driving toward the St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, Uyo. The St. Luke’s Hospital is one of the good hospitals in Uyo, so I use to think. It is owned by the Catholic Church and is located at the outskirt of Uyo along Nwaniba road. We got there in fifteen minutes, and we were obliged to buy the hospital’s card before we could see a doctor. I was directed to where I can pay for the card. I walked pass some patients and nurses who were seated along a corridor, looking for where I can buy the card from. I got there finally, and alas, the person issuing the card was not on seat. I waited, waited and waited for the person. By then, I was beginning to lose patience because my wife was in the verge of kicking the bucket. After waiting endlessly, I had no alternative than to take my ailing wife elsewhere. 

We left St. Luke’s hospital headed to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH). By this time, I was bottled up with anger. If I had seen the Minister of Health at this time, I would have shattered his head like Hon. Chidi Llyod did to his fellow Lawmaker sometimes ago with a mace. As I was driving towards UUTH, eventually, I had my wife making a phone call which turned out to be the solution to our debacle. She was talking to her brother who had studied pharmacy. She had narrated our ordeal and had told him the symptoms she suffered. He prescribed some drugs for her. We aborted our journey and headed to a reliable drugstore at Oron road to buy the drugs he prescribed. After getting the drugs, we drove home; she ate and swallowed the drugs as prescribed. Thank God the drugs are working. She is getting better as at the time I am writing this article.

I decided to write this article to expose the irresponsible attitude of most, if not all, of our health workers; and also to bring to fore, the poor state of healthcare services in Nigeria. Before now, I use to think it was easy to see a doctor in hospitals. I use to think that one can go to the hospital at anytime and get medical attention. I didn’t know I was soliloquizing. 

In Uyo as a whole, there are only two good public hospitals: the St. Luke’s Hospital, which is a secondary healthcare facility, and the UUTH, the only tertiary health facility in the Akwa-Ibom state. I stand to be corrected. Apart from these two, there are no other reliable secondary or tertiary health facilities available. Moreso, the aforementioned hospitals are not up to standard as compared to their counterparts elsewhere. For example, a visit to St. Luke’s hospital will reveal dilapidated and antiquated structures that are as old as Aristotle’s grandfather; same goes for the teaching hospital. Suffice me to say that this is not just an Akwa-Ibom state debacle alone, it is a national conundrum.

The health sector of Nigeria, like every other sector, is riddled with problems and challenges. It is faced with bothersome challenges such as lack of adequate facilities, dearth of trained medical workers, corruption and other teething problems. The health sector has been abandoned by the government, owing to the fact that our leaders do not seek medical attention locally. At the slightest headache, they are flown abroad to receive medical attention at the expense of the taxpayer. What a shame! Even the Minister of Health is flown to receive medical attention abroad, while the health sector he superintends over is caving in. The health sector in Nigeria is amiss and meant only for the helpless masses who cannot afford to seek healthcare abroad.

The government needs to wake up from slumber and bring basic needs of life to its masses. Health, education, water, electricity and so on must be provided to the common people. Nigerians are tired of the whimsical mien of the government. The hoi polloi in Nigeria live under excruciating circumstances; on the other hand, those who are saddled with the responsibilities of catering for them live like kings. This has got to stop! A law should be put in place to compel every public office holder in Nigeria to seek medical services locally when they fall ill. Their children should also be made to attend schools in Nigeria. By so doing, they would sit up and redress some of these issues. We are tired of the lackadaisical pose of government towards the provision of basic facilities to the masses.

If the government should continue to pay lip service to the crumbling health sector as well as other sectors of the Nigerian economy, then they are asking for trouble. Our leaders are pushing us to the wall. We will not hesitate to revolt if we are pushed to do so. To be fore warned is to be fore armed.