A Medical doctor identified as Essien Attach has taken to his
facebook timeline to write an article about the doctor who was reportedly
committed suicide after jumping off the third mainland bridge.
He wrote;
AND THE DOCTOR DIED
Dr Orji Allwell was my junior and also a graduate of College of
Medicine University of Lagos. Indeed I left the great citadel of learning just
when he was learning the rudiments of the profession hence our paths never
crossed but if they had, I would have embraced him like a brother and share
ward round tales of how we survived the likes of Professor Bode and Professor
Odum.
But Dr Orji is dead. I heard he jumped off Third Mainland Bridge
in an apparent suicide. What could have pushed the young man to take his own
life? What level of frustration can kill the joy of life in an intelligent
young man?
Indeed the dark-side of Medicine in Nigeria has once again reared
its ugly head. A profession that is in the final death throes of extinction has
claimed another victim.
Indeed many see Doctors as being on top of the food chain hence
they carry a heavy burden. Numerous relatives feast on their finances like
hungry vultures who keep on coming back for more carion. They can never take no
for answer for it is said Doctors always have money as if they work in Nigerian
Mint.
Besides the retinue of dependents, there is the drop in job
satisfaction. The recalcitrant nature of Government has left many doctors on
half pay, irregular pay or no pay at all. How can a man with a retinue of
dependents and a gamut of hungry mouths to feed survive when his small stipend
is irregular and subject to political manipulations?
And the frustration only mounts when you see your colleagues who
travelled overseas faring far better despite your waning patriotic zeal that
Nigeria will be better.
This is only the beginning of frustration to harbour such
justified thoughts.
Then there is the poor state of affairs in the health sector.
Incessant strikes and decaying infrastructure have reduced Doctors in Nigeria
to a basal level of indignation and anger. It is now easier to squeeze water
from stone than ensure the best possible care for patients. The most basic of
life saving measures like Oxygen and Blood transfusion services are fast
becoming a luxury and it is only a man of stone who will not feel depressed at
the loss of a patient whose life could have been saved. Doctors see the poverty
and the helplessness of the common man every day. And when you care for another
human being, their problems become your problem as well hence you share in
their laughter, sorrow or frustrations.
This is the lot of a Nigerian Doctor.
But the worst culprit of them all are fellow Doctors. How many
colleagues called Dr Oji and asked how he was doing? How many went out of their
way to show him love through his time of difficulty? A Doctor is not super
human. He is flesh and blood. We all need each other. Instead professional
rivalry amidst the spectre of consolidating respect and loyalty breeds a
medical mileu that is akin to a rat race or the dog eat dog phenomenon in a bid
to survive shark infested waters of economic recession and financial stability
.
The younger colleagues bemoan the vindictive tendencies of their
seniors who train amidst abuse and subjugation. Meanwhile the seniors are
angered at the dwindling spectre of respect in the profession. Hence a tense
atomosphere of unequally yoked colleagues is the bane of the medical profession
in Nigeria that stokes the embers of sadness, hoplessness and depression.
Dr Oji took it to the extreme but many more Doctors are ill
motivated and dissatisfied with the system. Those who can, have left while
others are in the process of leaving. These are indeed the lucky majority for
Nigeria has twice the number of Nigerian Trained Doctors overseas than the
number at home.
And the trend is worsening as even more are jetting out as their
future in Nigeria appears ever so bleak.
It is time for Doctors to close ranks. Care for one another.
Respect your seniors. And seniors stop belittling the younger colleagues. End
the rivalry that sees parents eating their young and vice versa.
It takes nothing to be kind to one another. Kindness and love is
all Dr Oji needed but on his day of need we were all found wanting.
Many a colleague are going through a lot but because of the burden
of society, they feel ashamed to speak out. Hence the onus is on us Doctors to
seek them out and nurture them back to sound mental and physical health. Thats
what it means to be your brother's keeper.
Patients should also learn to appreciate their doctor. This is the
sole joy of a Doctor that no one can take from them. Their service to humanity
shouldn't only be rewarded in heaven but a simple thank you can go a long way
to making a doctor's day. These are the worst of times to be sick in Nigeria
and its also the worst of times for health personnel.
I know so many who are without a job and are struggling to
survive. Even those with a job are living from hand to mouth.
Don't mind the facade of Dr Oji's beautiful Nissan SUV, the man
had issues and just a calming word could have averted this tragedy.
Say something nice to someone today. It might make the difference
between life and death. Show love to someone today. That may give them a reason
to keep on living.
Life is too short to spend it unhappy. Put a smile on someone's
face today. Dr Oji is no more and the Doctor Died, oh what a day of sorrow for
many have tried but have failed to overcome the sorrow of today. Be an
overcomer today. Make yourself happy but its even better when you make someone
else happy. It is well....and the Doctor died, oh what a pity for a life lost
prematurely to the sands of time
