Here's Why Nigerians Die Everyday
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| A weak health system endangers thousands of lives. |
BAD GOVERNMENT, POVERTY, SICKNESS, YOU NAME THE REST
A long time after independence, Nigeria is still grappling with a weak respect for human dignity in its health care system.
Arise oh Compatriots! Nobody is rising to Nigeria's call.
With a government that cares only for itself, people still die from preventable causes and are buried everyday especially in the communities.
Pregnant women still die from childbirth, malaria is still a major trend and even the health care providers still stigmatize HIV/AIDS patients and cannot adhere to a basic medical ethic - confidentiality.
Our government go abroad to get treatments for headaches.
Shamelessly.
What happened to reviving Nigeria's health care system and making it a world standard to the extent that other governments come and get their medical treatments from us?
Is it really impossible for The Giant of Africa?
The more we think about it, the more we realize that we have a really long way to go.
But what factors have hindered health care access in Nigeria?
DOES NIGERIA'S PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM EVEN EXIST?
I realize that saying Nigeria's primary health care system does not exist is almost extreme, but it is the worrisome truth.
The primary health care system is the genesis of the health of any population.
It informs family planning, maternal and child health, health promotion, community participation and health education.
The primary health care system is the genesis of the health of any population.
It informs family planning, maternal and child health, health promotion, community participation and health education.
The primary aim is not to treat specific diseases but to care for the patients.
It involves providing treatment of long term illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease and the prevention of future illness through counseling, immunization and screening programs.
It involves providing treatment of long term illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease and the prevention of future illness through counseling, immunization and screening programs.
Can we say this much for Nigeria's primary health care?
There is no compatibility between the patients and the doctors.
This accounts for a health care system that is not affordable, not accessible, not acceptable, not available and can not accommodate the patients - the basis of easy access to healthcare.
There is no compatibility between the patients and the doctors.
This accounts for a health care system that is not affordable, not accessible, not acceptable, not available and can not accommodate the patients - the basis of easy access to healthcare.
This translates to abandoned immunization schedules, ineffective exclusive breastfeeding campaigns, poor condom promotion.
Most times people are not even aware of the services offered at the primary health care.
The health care team is not ready to help the people that manage to come to the health care center.
Most times people are not even aware of the services offered at the primary health care.
The health care team is not ready to help the people that manage to come to the health care center.
POVERTY IS NIGERIA'S DISEASE
In contemporary Nigeria, it is difficult to put food on the table.
In the market places, people buy and sell even under staircases, a space barely enough to encourage good posture.
In the market places, people buy and sell even under staircases, a space barely enough to encourage good posture.
The living conditions of people is a reflection of how much they can afford. No money, no food.
What happens when they get sick? They resort to self medication or go to quacks to get cheaper treatments. Others move to prayer houses and native doctors.
Then when the person dies, you will be told he died after a brief illness. What is Nigeria's future hope?
What happens when they get sick? They resort to self medication or go to quacks to get cheaper treatments. Others move to prayer houses and native doctors.
Then when the person dies, you will be told he died after a brief illness. What is Nigeria's future hope?
PEOPLE RESORT TO OVER THE COUNTER QUACKS
The so called "chemists" are neither pharmacists nor do they have any qualification to prescribe drugs.
Some of them got their knowledge through apprenticeship and Nigerian streets are littered with dozens of them.
These people with little knowledge and qualification challenge the common good of the Nigerian population.
PEOPLE KEEP PATRONIZING THEM
People troop to these stores especially in the evenings and still wait patiently for their turns when there is a large number of people to be attended to.
Some of them got their knowledge through apprenticeship and Nigerian streets are littered with dozens of them.
These people with little knowledge and qualification challenge the common good of the Nigerian population.
PEOPLE KEEP PATRONIZING THEM
People troop to these stores especially in the evenings and still wait patiently for their turns when there is a large number of people to be attended to.
Why is this so? These "chemists" make communication easy for their customers and develop an unbiased relationship with them.
More importantly, the cost is reduced when compared with hospitals where they have to pay hospital card and consultation fees before they even start talking about how much the medications would cost.
The chemist is readily available. Can we say the same for the doctors?
More importantly, the cost is reduced when compared with hospitals where they have to pay hospital card and consultation fees before they even start talking about how much the medications would cost.
The chemist is readily available. Can we say the same for the doctors?
IS NIGERIA MOVING FORWARD OR BACKWARD?
Who will stand up for Nigeria and secure a healthy nation for the future generation?
Who will stand up for Nigeria and secure a healthy nation for the future generation?
This is a call to Nigerians, big and small, pauper and rich man, teachers, doctors, nurses, NGOs, students, politicians. Every single Nigerian citizen.
Let us clamor for positive change. Let us wake up and answer Nigeria's call.
So here's to you, why do you think Nigerians die everyday? Let us know in the comment box below!
Let us clamor for positive change. Let us wake up and answer Nigeria's call.
So here's to you, why do you think Nigerians die everyday? Let us know in the comment box below!
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