13/12/2024
In the third quarter of this year, I took my son to the Government General Hospital in Warri. We arrived early, at 6:30 am, for our scheduled appointment with the urologist. Despite our early arrival, we found over twenty people already waiting. As we waited for the administrators to begin their day, more people arrived for their appointments.
After nearly three hours, the administrators finally arrived and began sorting out the patients' cards. When our names were called, we were instructed to make a payment of ₦500 before seeing the doctor. While waiting, I overheard rumors that the doctors were on strike, but I wasn't convinced until we arrived at the doctor's office.
The scene was chaotic: one doctor attending to over 100 patients, with no adequate seating. The rumor was true – the doctors were indeed on strike, leaving only one lady to attend to the patients. She was writing prescriptions without conducting proper tests. I was disappointed and concerned about the state of our healthcare system.
The situation highlights the need for urgent attention to the medical sector. The lack of doctors, poor salaries, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient equipment are all contributing factors to the brain drain of medical professionals seeking better opportunities abroad. It's imperative that our government takes decisive action to overhaul the healthcare system and address these pressing issues.
