The President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Prof. Ademola Olaitan, an expert in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, in this interview with ZAINAB ONI, speaks on sundry issues affecting the Nigerian Health sector. Excerpts:
Strikes have become prevalent in the nation’s health sector. What is the implication for the country?
Yes, strikes have negative implications on the nation as a whole, but what we, as a college for post-graduate education, are more concerned with is this category of doctors called resident doctors. These doctors are trainees that ought to have enrolled in teaching hospitals, specialist hospitals or special medical centres and by the time they finish, which is sometimes up to seven years, they become specialists. The reason we are bothered is the fact that it is affecting the time they are supposed to spend in the college. They are supposed to spend a specific period of time; so if they go on strike and they are supposed to spend three years, for instance, and out of it they have gone on strike for almost two years, that means they will be entitled to just one year of posting. That means they are not exposed to enough medical training and because of this, we don’t allow them to write the examination. This is because if we send them off, we actually will be producing under-specialised doctors and this is not good for the country.
Our patients don’t go to India or other countries because those doctors over there are better than our doctors here. It is because those people have enough equipment to make the right diagnosis and then go ahead with treatment. But in our own case, it is more or less working in the dark
What do you think is the solution to these incessant strikes by health workers?
One thing that is very important is the fact that environment should be conducive. Secondly, these are people who are rendering services and they should be remunerated from the charges you are given and every one will be happy. The other one is the fact that there are things we need as doctors in order to give the best to the patients. Equipment is needed. To do some surgeries, there are those needed to do some investigations, but once they are not available, you have to use your brain or you start guessing. You would have to do trial and error; that is when people say what is the point and they may leave the country in the process.
Our patients don’t go to India or other countries because those doctors over there are better than our doctors here. It is because those people have enough equipment to make the right diagnosis and then go ahead with treatment. But in our own case, it is more or less working in the dark. Sometimes it is not because of money doctors go outside the country, but because what you need to practise is available over there. Government should really help us so that those things we need will be available; that is remuneration, the necessary equipment to practise and above all, a conducive environment.
Monkey Pox is the most recent disease outbreak in the country. What is the college doing to help?
The college has a mandate, which is to train specialists, to examine them and make sure that they are competent. But we are indirectly involved with this disease because the trainings in hospitals would approach it and they will know what to do about monkey pox. What we can do is that if there is a particular machine or equipment that is needed to be purchased so that when it comes next time, they will be able to make a diagnosis, we should purchase it.
What is your advice to Nigerians on the preventive measures against contracting the virus?
Because it is by contact, one would have to avoid it as much as possible. First of all, one needs to have very good hygiene; personal hygiene must be near perfect. You should wash your hands when you come across people and make sure that all necessary precautions are taken. I think all said and done, what is important is that you prevent getting in contact with infected people and you know that personal hygiene is very important.
How would you say government is faring in terms of budgeting for health?
I know there is a percentage that the World Health Organisation says that government of any country should adhere to. It is about 15 per cent, but in Nigeria, I’m sure we have not got close. Government only allocate five per cent. So, you can see, it is a far cry from what we need and because of that, we are lacking so many things in the hospitals. We know there are demands, competing demands, but health is actually wealth. You can determine the wealth of a nation by the standard of health facilities of that country. When citizens are healthy, you will know that it is a wealthy country, but once people are not healthy, it shows. I hope government will be able to wake up and further increase the allocation given to health in the nation’s
budget.
