Sometimes, one just settle to think of how Nigeria came about, and thoughts of our founding fathers betraying this nation starts floating in one’s narrow mind, only for critical thinking to steal the thoughts away from the mind. Of course, we can point at things our founding fathers lived their invaluable lives for, but the question is, what has their efforts bought our today? This just helps one appreciate the fact that no matter how one toils and sweats for a cause, if it doesn’t get handed-over to the right hands, all the thick coloured sweats would be in vain. I hope the efforts of our heroes wouldn’t be in vain!
Once upon a time in a country that had things working, time time, in the country she has become today. A country that has lost its road map is what our dear country has metamorphosed into, and it’s so saddening no second has since shown any hope of her recovering her lost compass and the right sailors to sail this confused ship out of the wrecking turbulence she has been casted to. From the free education that many of our leaders today enjoyed, to the crumbling education today portrays, and our health sector that keeps painting us colours of disgrace everywhere, not to talk of the current economic buoyancy we enjoy, what could be concluded of Nigeria? Is it safe to say that the efforts of our leaders are in vain?
In spite the challenges facing Nigerians, it’s however interesting to note that her government doesn’t care about the well-being of the masses, so long they are living fine and can fly out of the country when need be. A recent report released by WaterAid Nigeria to mark the Universal Health Coverage Day 2016 revealed the die state the health sector of Nigeria is. The release revealed the non-existence of water supply, broken toilets and poor hygiene in health centres in Nigeria.
Researches have shown that of the 10 million deaths from antimicrobial resistant infections predicted by 2050, an estimated 4.1 million would likely be in sub-Saharan Africa where good sanitation and rigorous hygiene practices which might prevent infections in the first place, are often lacking. We shouldn’t be concerned about this, only if we aren’t a part of the sub-Saharan countries anymore. One painful thing about countries in this region is that they don’t take forecasts like this serious, until it finally dawns on them, then they would be searching for way outs to help the masses that would be affected.
According to WaterAid Nigeria’s own recent assessment of WASH facilities in primary Healthcare Centres conducted in six local states, Bauchi, Benue, Enugu, Ekiti, Jigawa and Plateau, 21.1% of the facilities assessed did not have at least one toilet facility and none met the National Primary Health Care Development Agency minimum standard of separate toilet facilities for males and females, as well as separate toilet facilities for staff and patients. What do we say of a health centre that doesn’t have a toilet? Nothing other than the fact that the purpose for the establishment of such centres has been defeated. If the economic situation of our country would send people to health centres, shouldn’t they meet the best of services there?
When would we stop deceiving ourselves in this country, observing the budget for an administrative year, one would be forced to smile at the dexterity at which Nigerians are being played. You hear of billions of naira being allotted to sectors, and all we hear are reports of how these systems are deteriorating, what’s happening? The well-being of the people is very important, States who understand this are exploiting it to the fullest. Only a healthy person would think of bettering the lot of others.
It’s not something rare to hear of general hospitals without facilities in Nigeria, its one thing we take pride in. Cases of emergency in no time turn to mug cases here, when all we have are big buildings as hospitals and “general” to follow with nothing. If wealth must be created in our state, the health of the people should be looked into, as health is wealth!
Tijani Sheriffdeen is an undergraduate student of the University of Ilorin (Twitter: docshe_42)
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