CHUKWUNETA OBY FROM PUNCH
The gory image that was sent to me a few days back was that of a stab victim. But what drew my ire was the multitude of people that surrounded the victim, yet it didn’t occur to any of them to make an effort or mobilise for support to rush him to a hospital.
In fact, half of that crowd was busy with phones, making videos of a dying man!
An enraged me didn’t stop asking, “Is Nigeria cursed with an unthinking citizenry?”
Eight of 10 persons that are involved in an unfortunate incident in Nigeria will die an avoidable death!
This is because those that are quick to rush to the scene are either too ignorant or handicapped to be of any help to the victim.
What will it cost a body like the Nigerian Medical Association to carry out periodic outreaches that aim to teach regular people basic emergency response ‘dos and don’ts’?
They can even partner corporate and non-governmental organisations on these community development practices.
Is the Nigerian Medical Association too weak a group to lobby state governments for improved emergency response measures such as ambulance services?
I also wonder why teaching hospitals don’t send out their student doctors on community health engagements!
When the medical profession is first approached as a humanitarian endeavour and not as a money spinner, a lot will change in our soulless health system.
What exactly is the civic responsibility of the Nigerian Medical Association or don’t they realise they owe one to Nigeria?
Part of why Nigeria is where it is today is a citizenry that is waiting for the government (although dysfunctional) to do everything for them, including what we can do for ourselves.
Did you know that if you get murdered in Nigeria today, the probability of the system finding your killers and giving you justice is zilch?
Recently, a university undergraduate in Lagos slumped while playing football and was rushed to a hospital. About four hospitals that he was taken to rejected him.
It should be a crime for hospitals to reject emergency cases in Nigeria.
Help stabilise the patient before referring him or her for specialised care. And if it’s a hopeless case, at least they would die receiving medical attention.
