The current collapse of all sectors in Nigeria is continuing at an unprecedented pace. So appalling is this collapse that Nigerians are choosing to accept every abnormality as normal; electricity which is perpetually elusive, pipe-borne water which remains a mirage and even healthcare which, as essential as it is, is far, far beyond the reach of the ordinary people, are among the features of this decay. However, more annoying is even the fact that politicians keep down-playing the importance of this issue and reducing discourse to rhetoric.
Imagine the sad tale of healthcare particularly in northern Nigeria, which now compels poor and helpless Nigerians to seek refuge in poorer countries like Cameroon, the Niger and Benin Republic? Ponder the flight of the ‘middle class’ to a now more prosperous Ghana? This is not to talk of those migrating to the West in search of greener pastures, including some of those who shamelessly participated in dragging Nigeria to its present prostrate state. Again and again you hear stories of these unpatriotic characters escaping to Europe or America with their loot and stashing them in their foreign accounts. Until recently, when the British system makes it hard for some of them to successfully cart away public fund, criminally stolen while in office, and lavish after retirement or while on holiday, it was always ‘business as usual’. While this is a welcomed development and a necessary disincentive to corrupt public officers, it comes only after precedents had been laid down.
In the early 1980s, following the military coup that ousted the Second Republic and sacked the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari, many politicians that had been clearly indicted ran off to the UK and other countries of the West. Rather than told to go back home and give account of their stewardship, they were easily and hurriedly granted political asylum. Notably, the case of Nigeria’s foremost fugitive then, Alhaji Umaru Dikko, who himself was a former transport minister and a prominent figure in the collapsed regime, stirred so much controversy leading to strained relations between Nigeria and Britain.
In fighting corruption, which is the main cause of the collapse of our economy, Nigeria can hardly succeed if it remains selective in pursuing indicted persons, serving or retired. In the same vein it cannot be successful unless countries like Britain, Switzerland, Germany and America etc lend a helping hand. One way to do this is by ensuring that stolen funds are repatriated home and politicians are refused asylum whenever they loose official immunity. Although Britain is already doing this and at least three former governors are being investigated, more needs to be done and examples should be made of those found wanting. Perhaps this may give us some hope and not only discourage corruption, but to also lay a proper foundation to revive the economy.
More importantly, our collective effort at home needs to be doubled, if we are doing something, or must be started now. The EFCC, the ICPC and all those in position of trust need to re-examine their roles in this respect and reassure Nigerians that the era of selective punishment or docility is over. On our part, Nigerians, if we must win this fight we must learn to stop clowning and singing the praises of ‘thieves’ – people whose wealth we know is ill-gotten. A thief is a thief irrespective of the power of his wealth or social status. And whoever is responsible for or encouraged the looting of our funds is a thief and must be treated as one.
One last thing, remember you can aid or abet crime by being silent in the face of its perpetuation. Often this is the case in Nigeria and we are all complicit in this.
The story directly below, culled from the Daily Trust, tells us of the situation in a country as richly endowed as Nigeria. More so, it tells of the plight of people from whom some of the richest persons in the world come. Yet any talk about corruption can hardly be logically concluded without someone coming out to say his part of the country is deliberately targeted. I wonder why politicians always succeed in tearing us apart along ethno-tribal or religious divides?
MEDICARE: NIGERIANS TROOP TO NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES
Faced with a crumbling public health sector with its concomitant worsening health services, many Nigerians who cannot afford the high medical fees charged by private hospitals now troop to the neighbouring countries of Cameroun, Benin and Niger Republics for medical attention. Investigations carried out by Sunday Trust reveal that thousands of Nigerians with ailments ranging from tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases are fleeing the country to neighbouring countries for medical attention.
Poor Nigerians living in Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe and Borno, among other states, according to investigations by Sunday Trust, now prefer to go to Maradi in Niger, Benbereke in Benin Republic and Kolofata Hospital in Cameroun to find solutions to their ailments.
In Maradi, Medicine Sans Frontiers, (Doctors without borders) (MSF), a Non-Governmental Organisation based in France has been involved in providing medical services to Nigerians fleeing the deplorable health sector of their country to different border states of Northern Nigeria.
A female doctor with MSF, who requested not to be named, reveals that Nigerian patients on admission constitute 20% in the Maradi MSF centre and another 40% as out-patients, especially on malnutrition related cases for children. The official says the MSF which operates in areas of extreme poverty, natural and human disaster areas has been involved in giving food and money to the patients to combat their health problems.
A source tells our reporter that patients coming to the Maradi MSF centre use two border routers. The borders are Dan Issa and Quanni Border in Niger Republic. Those from Katsina, Kano, Jigawa and eastern part of the country, the source adds, come through Jibia/Maradi border and stopped over at Dan Issa boarder which is about 20 kilometres from the main Nigerian Border in Niger Republic from where an ambulance from the MSF Hospital centre is officially sent to transport them to avoid hurdles placed by Custom officials, the police (Gendarmes) and other law enforcement agencies in Niger.
Patients from Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, the source continues, are being picked at Quanni, a border town in Niger. Sunday Trust witnessed how a large number of patients were packed into an ambulance to Maradi.
Salamatu Bature, a Nigerian from Maiturmi village in Jigawa state once visited Maradi when she could not manage the health condition of her son, Sa’idu. He was diagnosed of malnutrition and with the help of MSF Bature made it to the Dan Issa Border. At the MSF centre, besides drugs that are given free of charge, money and food, among others are the benefits of patients who come to the centre. Our reporter noticed long queues of mothers holding their babies and presenting their cards to the security operatives who in turn gave them sacks containing plates, bed nets and other materials to be used at the centre.
Mohammed Abba Malam, a staff in neighboring Jibia local government confirms to our reporter that it is daily a routine for people to travel to Maradi centre for medical treatment. A Katsina based nurse, Babangida Isiyaku says, "Look, it is not only the Niger Border which is only few kilometers away from here that our people are ready to go to; they are prepared to go to Niamey or even France if that is what it takes for them to get sound health for their children.
"There is poor health services provided in Nigeria. Even when the Federal Government is spending billons of Naira to construct and renovate hospitals, there are no competent professionals to provide the required services. Go to the rural areas and see how our health sector has collapsed completely and people are dying," Malam said.
Katsina state commissioner of Health, Alhaji Danlami Garba dismisses allegations that Nigerians living in Katsina state cross over to Niger Republic for medical treatment due to the poor health services provided by the state government. Proximity, Garba argues, is the overriding factor.
In the commissioner’s words: "People residing in Katsina state receive medical treatment in Niger Republic due to proximity and not the collapse of the health sector in the state,"
Garba explains that the cross border movement in search of medication is not new to the state, as investigations indicate that 40-50 per cent of the patients admitted at the Jibia general hospital are from Niger Republic.
Kolofata is a village in Cameroon and located about 23 kilometers away from the border town of Banki in Borno State. Considering the influx of Nigerian into this village which is famous in treating people with eye diseases, the large number of patients laying on straw mats under trees in the premises of the hospital shows that hospital workers are finding it difficult to cope with the number of patients.
One of the surgeons who gave his name as Omar told our reporter that out of every 10
patients that come to the hospital, seven are cataract patients. According to the surgeon, the Kolofata Hospital operates over 50 patients daily.
"The operation lasts between 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the age and the condition of the patients," Omar explains, adding that the eye section of the hospital was established in 1996. The surgeon confirms that the daily influx of patients, particularly from Nigeria, has greatly overstretched facilities at the hospital.
"Most of our patients are foreigners and we cannot keep them here for long because of limited facilities," Omar says.
Malam Ahmed Idrisa from Jigawa state says he was operated the previous day and is preparing to go back home immediately. Another Nigerian, M. Ali, who is a retired Assistant Superintendent of Prisons in Maiduguri narrates how he had to travel a long distance to Kolofata when the Molai Hospital in Maiduguri and other hospitals in Borno state proved incapable of handling his eye problem.
Some ophthalmologists spoken to in Maiduguri by Sunday Trust allege that many of the complications from Kolofata patients do end up in their clinics for review treatments. The conveyor-method, where patients have to leave immediately after they are treated and receive post-operation services from another hospital, according to Dr. Bala Askira, a consultant ophthalmologist with the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), leads to post-operation complications. But Omar is quick to debunk such claim, insisting that the method of discharging patients 48 hours after operation minimises the risk of such complications.
The Borno state Commissioner for Health, Mr. Ayuba Pindar Iza, says he is aware that Nigerians patronise Kolofata for eye and other treatments but adds that, "the Borno state Government has concluded arrangements with the government of Saudi Arabia to provide facilities of international standard so that our people don’t have to risk their lives to travel such a long distance for treatments."
Investigations by our reporter reveal that while an eye patient requires only N6000 for a cataract operation at Kolofata Hospital, the same operation costs N20, 000 at UMTH. Hadiza Isa who is in Kolofata with her mother from Mubi, Adamawa state, ASP Ali from Maiduguri and Mrs. Beatrice Ojile from Lagos claim that they were not satisfactorily treated in the several hospitals they visited in Nigeria.
"But with less than N6, 000 and about N4, 000 in feeding and transport fare to Kolofata, I no longer feel the pain and the fear of losing my sight," notes retired Sergeant Shuibu Inuwa who says he will always encourage patients to go to Kolofata for medical treatment. Whether Kolofata Hospital is a leader in treating eye problems or not, each year continues to witness an explosion in the number of patients coming to the medical centre for attention.
Benbereke Hospital in Benin Republic is another medical centre for some Nigerians suffering from Tuberculosis. The hospital was established by Christian missionaries from the United States of America (USA), with the sole purpose of helping the poor overcome their health problems.
Director of Administration for the hospital, Mr Orou Yorou Mere, told Sunday Trust that the medical centre started with 43 beds and now has 125 beds across different wards. The most common services offered by the hospital include major and minor surgeries, radiology and laboratory services, obstetrics, consultation, community health services, among others.
Mr. Mere reveals that Nigerians account for 60% of TB patients that visit the centre. He says there are variations in ratio concerning other diseases like Malaria and HIV which are more prevalent with other citizens of other countries.
Police Sergeant Umaru Garba and Muhammadu Bunza hail from Kebbi state and are among the Nigerian patients Sunday Trust interviewed. Garba who says he had suffered from TB for a very long time until he came to Benbereke and was charged only N6000 for treatment that lasted three months. Bunza who was treated of TB at the Benbereke hospital insists he had a good attention to his problem.
Statistics show that between January 2005 to December 2006 the hospital treated 386 TB patient; carried out 2,243 surgeries and offered 1,978 obstetrics services. In 2006, the hospital offered 16,990 consultancy services and admitted 6,198 patients while 34,219 people were registered as outpatients. In the ophthalmology department, 2,718 consultation services were offered out of which 111 operations were on cataracts. On laboratory tests, the hospital made 47,810 test analyses last year, 1,713 radiographies and vaccinated 8,841 patients through its community health services.
The director of medical services, Kebbi state, Dr. Jibril Yeldu attributes the exodus of Nigerians to hospitals in neighbouring countries to stigma of their diseases and the psychological feeling that such hospitals can cure them.
He says the success recorded at Benbereke in the treatment of TB is as a result of strict adherence to the Direct Observation Treatment (DOT), by the hospital, a process most patients flout when admitted into Nigerian hospitals. The director claims that the state has adequate drugs for TB and Leprosy but patients don’t come to receive them either because of ignorance or fear of being stigmatised.
Attempts by Sunday Trust to get official comments the Federal Ministry of Health proved abortive. A director who pleaded anonymity confirmed to Sunday Trust that health conditions in some of the states are appalling.
"You know we run a federal system and the states are in a position to provide their health services. The states are in the best position to answer all queries concerning the state of health services in their domains," the official explains.
(http://dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4162&Itemid=45)
No comments:
Post a Comment