Calabar, the Cross River state capital, has been gripped by a concerning healthcare crisis as the strike of resident doctors continues to wreak havoc on the lives of residents, particularly the most vulnerable. Ud Ofem, a mother and civil servant, shared her distressing experience of trying to access medical care for her son, who is battling severe ear pain. The ongoing strike has left her and many others grappling with the painful reality that healthcare in Nigeria often remains inaccessible to those who need it the most.
Since Sunday, Ofem’s son has been enduring excruciating ear pain, which has not only left him feverish but has also robbed him of his appetite and strength. The urgency of the situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing strike of resident doctors, who have withdrawn their services following the kidnapping of a female medical practitioner. With government hospitals immobilized by the strike, many like Ofem are left in dire straits, unable to access the medical attention their loved ones desperately need.
“I can’t access any government hospital because of the resident doctors’ strike,” the graduate of Mass Communication laments. She goes on to share the heart-wrenching reality that private health facilities are simply beyond the financial reach of the “Poorest of the Poor,” a category she herself falls into. “Maybe if Tinubu’s government had paid the 8k palliatives to us, it would have helped,” she adds with a tinge of exasperation.
With limited options available, Ofem turned to over-the-counter solutions, hoping pain relievers and eardrops would provide some relief for her son. However, the outcome has been less than satisfactory, as the pain and discomfort persist. This scenario paints a grim picture of the healthcare challenges that countless families face in Nigeria, where access to quality medical care remains a privilege rather than a basic right.
As the strike of resident doctors continues, Calabar residents find themselves caught in a web of anguish and uncertainty. The absence of medical professionals, coupled with limited alternatives, highlights the dire need for comprehensive healthcare reform in Nigeria. The case of Ofem and her son serves as a stark reminder that the ongoing healthcare crisis is affecting the lives and well-being of everyday citizens, underscoring the urgency of addressing these systemic challenges.
Recall that resident doctors in Cross River state had embarked on a total and indefinite strike in solidarity with one of her senior members, Ekanem Ephraim, who was kidnapped on Thursday few weeks ago from her residence in Calabar.
