Hospital attendance has hit an all-time
low following the ongoing strike by the
Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
The strike began in the 36 states and the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) last November
12.
Many surgery appointments have been cancelled,
the number of out-patients has dropped. In-
patients are being discharged by families.
This is the state of public hospitals nationwide,
which President of Pharmaceutical Society of
Nigeria (PSN) Mr Olumide Akintayo says shows
that healthcare is teamwork.
Pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists and
nurses, among other health workers are
participating in the strike.
The Nation learnt that patients’ names on the
waiting list have been increasing daily.
The surgery appointments for some patients at
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital
(LASUTH) have been cancelled for now.
A surgeon, who does not want his name
mentioned, said they have to wait until the
strike is over before another date can be given.
A patient, who simply gave his name as Akindele,
urged the federal and state governments to
resolve the matter quickly in patients’ interest.
“I don’t know what to do. They said I should
come back when the strike is over for another
surgery date. I am in serious pain. I don’t want
to die. They should do something about the strike
because people are dying every day,” he said.
Doctors, however, are grappling with other duties
once delegated, especially at the eye clinic.
Accident and Emergency wards have become
ineffective as nurses who provide the core of
care are on strike.
Activities are also at their lowest ebb at the
Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute Metta,
Federal Neuro-Psychiatry Hospital, Igbobi and
LASUTH.
The situation is the same in similar facilities
nationwide.
At the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Igbobi,
Lagos, a patient said he could not get his record
and as such doctors asked him to come back with
the papers given to him.
He said he has been coming since last week for
orthopaedic therapy on his troubled limb.
Health care services at the Primary Health Care
(PHC) Centres were skeletal because of nurses’
absence.
Some doctors were present but they could not do
core nursing duties. Some patients were seen
assisting others as they took their turns.
Some expectant mothers who could not withstand
the pressure left angrily.
Some healthcare personnel have urged the
government to release the circular of salary
adjustment for the striking workers in
government-owned hospitals.
They said such a gesture may end the strike.
Akintayo said PSN would stand its ground until
JOHESU’s demands are met.
According to him, JOHESU has 12 demands.
“Moreover, we are asking the government to
release the circular of salary adjustment.
“It requires N13.7 billion to pay all the affected
workers at the federal level after which we will
call off the strike,” he said.
The PSN president said ordinary Nigerians were
feeling the strike.
He said: “Anybody can become a patient, either
directly or indirectly. So, it is not a situation we
can endure as nobody wants to be in this type of
situation.”
The Public Relations Officer (PRO), Association of
Nurses, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Mr
Samuel Awodele, said new patients have not been
coming visited since the strike began.
He described the development as “unfortunate”,
adding that the strike would continue until the
government acceded to workers’ demands.
“Today, there were fewer than 10 patients who
received treatment at the Orthopaedic Hospital
because many of them were discharged.”
He said nobody was attending to them, adding
that doctors can only do very little.
What’s more, the core of the job is done by other
health professionals.
“No surgery and no admission of patients,”
Awodele said.
The government, he said, is yet to accede to
workers’ demands, adding that there will be a
meeting soon to address the issue.
“The union’s
position, however, still remains the same. We are
not going back to work,“ he said.
Awodele said the ‘no-work-no-pay’ rule would not
affect the union’s decision.
“We have already prepared our minds and will
survive any eventuality,’’ Awodele said.
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