Nigerian Public Hospital Doctors On Strike And Angry

They launched an unlimited strike on Monday, June 15. 40% of the country's doctors have stopped working. And with the exception of those caring for Covid-19 cases, the services of dozens of public health facilities were deserted for the first day of walkout.

The day before yesterday, Dr. Stanley has been running the TV sets and radio studios in Abuja. Arched suit and well-groomed hair, the spokesperson for the national doctors' union is in crisis communication mode. Because going on strike during a pandemic is a heavy decision for any healthcare professional

"How long will we continue to risk our lives because we want to serve Nigerians? What happens to doctors who die on the front lines without adequate protection? The government does not give them life insurance. We only see this in TV commercials. But the truth is that we don't see anything on the ground.

In the hall of one of the most popular channels in Nigeria, Dr. Stanley follows on the screen his colleague Dr. Ayli interviewed live. After twelve years of career as an obstetrician gynecologist, in spite of his anger, impossible for Dr. Stanley to flee Nigeria like some of his fellow doctors, exhausted by local deficiencies and therefore exiled in North America or in Europe.

“We stayed out of patriotism. If we all leave this country, no one will replace us to do the work. My parents are here and if I go abroad, what will happen to my own father? That is why we stayed to ensure that the government fulfilled its health obligations. This is the very meaning of our struggle."

One thing Dr. Stanley promises is that he will resume his post at CHU Anambra in southern Nigeria as soon as the Ministries of Health, Labor and Finance respond to complaints from Doctors in Nigeria.