The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of government – Thomas Jefferson

 

Poor state of health is not what any sane individual pray or wish for. There has never been any recorded instance when anybody deliberately prayed to be assailed by whatever manner of body ailment. We all want to maintain sound health at all times. That is why prayers are daily offered by people of all races and religions to remain in good health.

 

Even at that, mankind today is being decimated by different kinds of diseases. Millions of lives are lost every year due to the ravaging onslaught of diverse diseases, which has been on the increase since the beginning of the 20^th century. Every now and then, new intractable strains of known diseases emerge while totally strange ones are discovered. In the last few years, we have heard of the ‘Ebola’ which was discovered in the eastern part of Africa, the ‘Bird Flu’ and most recently the ‘Swine Flu’ which is gradually becoming a nightmare in some countries. Many countries, including Nigeria are on high alert, to  arrest any possible threat to the health of their citizens as a result of the upsurge in reported cases of what is gradually turning into a global pandemic. 

 

Billions of dollars are earmarked and yearly spent by developed nations, in an effort to safeguard the health of its citizenry. The United Nations Organization (UNO) through one of its organs, World Health Organization (WHO) has relentlessly been championing the imperative of health for all, across the globe. Many other government and Non-government orgainsations including individuals have made notable efforts in their attempt to see that everybody on earth have access to good health-care delivery. Various Foundations have been established to contribute to health-care delivery especially to people in remote parts of the world.

 

Governments at various levels in Nigeria have to some degrees made provisions for health-care delivery. Teaching Hospitals, Specialist Hospitals, Central Hospitals, General Hospitals are sited in major cities and towns across the country, while health centers are located in many rural communities. All these have gone a long way to meeting the health needs of Nigerians. There are however widespread argument that what government has put in place is not commensurate with the health needs of the populace.

               

The people of Ika are however lucky to have a Central Hospital located in Agbor with a handful of General and Government Hospitals in places like Abavo, Owa-Alero, Umunede, Agbor-Alidinma etc. There are also Health Centers in majority of the villages in the locality. All of these have impacted on health-care delivery in Ikaland.

               

However, there are some ugly experiences, which a lot of persons within the locality have had in the cause of seeking for medical attention at these hospitals. The Agbor hospital which was transformed into a central hospital from general hospital during the James Ibori era, have in recent years received a lot of attention from the state government, particularly when the current Secretary to the State Government SSG Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa was in-charge of the state Ministry of Health. However, these gestures from the government does not seem to be acknowledged by those who are shouldered with the responsibility of managing these hospitals.

               

A lot of persons have narrated the inhuman treatments meted out to them by some of the staff in these hospitals, especially in handling of emergency cases, where patients on danger list are left unattended until relations have gone through the rigours of obtaining cards and other unnecessary formalities, instead of giving the desired medical attention first. That, in my own assessment is against medical ethics, that favours the saving of life against monetary consideration.

               

It is also widely held by a lot of persons that some of the nurses devote a great deal of time telling anecdotes and gossips. They talk harshly to patients as against handling them with the care they need at that point in time. That is not to say that there are no good, caring and dedicated nurses and doctors in these hospitals. We have a good number of them, as attested to by very many  persons who have had cause to visit or be admitted at the hospitals. The point being made however is that some of them exhibit highly irresponsible and uncomplimentary attitude towards those who go there to seek medical attention  

               

The issue that is of great concern to majority of residents is the poor environmental condition of the hospitals in particular the Central Hospital. Recently, I visited the female ward, with a friend to see a mutual friend who was on admission at the hospital. What we observed was an eye sore and indeed very nauseating. Almost every part of the ward was covered with dirt. Infact we could not stay long because of the offensive odour we were perceiving. We could not help voicing out our displeasure over the unpleasant condition of an environment that is supposed to be kept neat at all times. Since that experience, I have always wondered how people could get well in an environment so unkempt and capable of engendering ill-health. 

               

Stories have been told of how some doctors in these hospitals, more often than not, refer patients to their private hospitals and clinics instead of treating them at the hospital. It is very unethical and unprofessional. Doctors who are involved in such shady deals should try to desist from it. They must realize that they were employed by government to give the best of their medical knowledge for the benefit of the people, especially the poor folks.

               

Government should also do regular monitoring of the activities of hospital staff. Any staff found wanting should be brought to book without hesitation, as health is very important to national development. The precious lives of residents of Ika should not continue to be compromised because of the lacksidical attitude of some hospital staff who have failed to realize that working in a health institution is more of a calling

               

Hospital staff who have formed the repulsive and condemnable habit of treating patients with disdain should know that every human life, no matter the social status of the individual, is precious. They should therefore do their job, for which they are paid, with the highest level of responsibility and commitment.

               

Those incharge of the maintance of hospitals should equally see to it that these institutions are kept neat and decent at all times. It is not good for staff and patients to be subjected to operate in such dirty environments. We all know that a dirty environment contributes a great deal to ill-health. As they say, cleanliness is next to Godliness.          

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