Late Dr. Allwell Orji |
A medical doctor has offered a fresh insight into the
circumstances that might have led to the death of Dr Allwell Orji who jumped
into a lagoon in Lagos on Sunday.
The doctor, one Essien Attah, in a Facebook post noted that
the unsatisfactory work conditions had driven many in the profession to a state
of despondency.
Attah explained that the drop in job satisfaction, the
retinue of dependents who seek doctors out for financial support, and the
“recalcitrant nature of Government has left many doctors on half pay, irregular
pay or no pay at all” could drive a doctor to end his life.
In the post titled ‘AND THE DOCTOR DIED’ Essien said “Don’t
mind the facade of Dr Orji’s beautiful Nissan SUV, the man had issues and just
a calming word could have averted this tragedy.
He wrote, “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 milieu 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 atmosphere of unequally yoked colleagues is the bane of the medical
profession in Nigeria that stokes the embers of sadness, hopelessness 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 are 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.
That’s 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 it’s 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 Orji’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.”
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