A colleague of the medical doctor who committed suicide by jumping into Lagos lagoon, Allwell Orji, Essien Attah, has given possible reasons why the doctor took his own life.
Orji had on Sunday committed suicide on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
Report had it earlier today that the body of the medical doctor had been found, but the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Dolapo Badmos, quoted the mother of the medical doctor as saying the body earlier recovered was not her son’s.
Attah, who said Dr Orji was his junior and also a graduate of College of Medicine University of Lagos, in a statement on his Facebook wall gave details of the challenges medical doctors are passing through which could have triggered Allwell’s action.
Essien, in the statement titled, “AND THE DOCTOR DIED” 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 su*cide. 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.”
The medical doctor added: “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 culprits of them all are fellow doctors. How many colleagues called Dr Orji 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.”
He noted that the younger doctors bemoan the vindictive tendencies of their seniors who train amidst abuse and subjugation while 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 Orji 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 Orji 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 Orji 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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