While we may all agree that the lion is not particularly the deadliest animal known to man, as other creatures such as the brown bear, Russell's viper and the Great White shark are also well renowned predators that prowl the earth. It has, however, become a perpetual belief that the ultra feline is ultimately, "the king of the jungle", despite shoddy evidence to back that phenomenon. With the advent of cutting edge technology that has expatiated the individual prowesses possessed by various animals in the jungle, a pride of lions stand no chance against an equally numbered pack of Brown bears. Hence, it can relatively be asserted that the lion, is indeed living on past glory.

 

Such analogy can be likened to the ongoing melee in the health sector, as a "branch" of the NMA has decided to hold a surprisingly disinterested nation to ransom by putting forward a list of ignominious demands that DEMAND immediate attention - or so they say. However, many believe this malady is a subterfuge of what the medical profession entails as such does not apply in the developed countries - those whose feats we so claim we will attain and unimaginably surpass. It is of course laudable to fight for what is right, fighting for unjustifiable rights is somewhat disdainful and unwarranted, particularly from health workers. Though Nigerians may spend eternity pondering the catalyst of the shabby move initiated by a "branch" of the NMA owing to the belief that these are the same people in whose hands our lives may hang - if eventually they will, it is however doubt worthy to note that another "branch" of the NMA, have clandestinely denounced the actions of their elected officials, for fear of having their licenses revoked due to insubordination. As for the other "branch" or in this case, neutralists, they are the happy-go-lucky ones who just go with the flow, provided there will be no wounds inflicted in the end.

 

That medicine is one of the oldest professions doesn't qualify it as sacrosanct, it is merely just another pointer to the multi-faceted nature of professional dispensation. Take a run through various social media chat fora and you will be perplexed by the supposed zingers that emanate from the fingers/oral cavities of Nigerian medical doctors. One claimed "doctors are the gods of medicine, others draw life from us", while another can be quoted as saying "without doctors, you won't be where you are today". We can go on revealing the numerous cavaliers that litter the web, but this piece will however, not publicize mediocrity - which has already been embellished by the international media, much to our country's waning reputation. While "some doctors" believe they are the sole pivots of the hospital environment, what can be said of nurses who offer in-patient and palliative care and undoubtedly spend more time with the ailing lot than any other member of the medical team? Or the laboratory scientists whose field of expertise is the definitive marker in narrowing the wide spectrum of diagnoses already cast by physical presentations of the newly-admitted patient? Or the physical therapist whose manipulative techniques are renowned to fully optimize the quality of life and enhance the functional independence of patients suffering from debilitating conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, cancer, amputation coupled with other musculoskeletal impairments? Dare we undermine the weight of the radiographer, the revered eye of medicine, without whose involvement other members of the medical team would only be looking for a needle in the haystack? Without pharmacists, the non-invasive alleviation of pain and restoration of the body's physiological function would be non-existent. Likewise, the roles of the dietitians, pharmacologists and physiologists can not be overemphasized as they all have essential roles to play as members of the hospital system.

 

Every profession is a distinct reflection of our daily wants and needs, with lawyers, bankers, tailors and even automobile mechanics having their vital capabilities and similarly contribute to improving the lives of many. The average Nigerian must however not see the health workers as "Demi gods", but as professionals who "equally" serve a purpose in collaborative nation building. This is one of the many means through which the self-aggrandizement of the common medical personnel can be allayed. There is no known organogram indicating the hierarchical disposition of health workers in the hospital environment, and those on display only reflect the members of the hospital board. The "branch" of the NMA should therefore, not attempt to manipulate their way through in order to accede the pinnacle of a self-designed health system. Everybody (irrespective of age, race, gender, profession) deserves a good life, but a luxurious life can only be attained by those who go the extra mile to achieve it - which must certainly be devoid of negative and egoistic approaches as seen amongst our politicians and amusingly, the brood of vipers whirling under the aegis of a "branch" of the NMA.

 

Some medical doctors may find perplexing, the lack of interest their strike action has garnered, common sense and exposure is all it has taken for the average Nigerian to comprehend the preposterousness of the ongoing state of affairs. Instead of pleading with the FG to quell the fury brewing between the NMA and JOHESU, as was the case in times past, Nigerians have resorted to lashing out snide remarks and outright condemnation towards us members of the medical profession. They have felt long short-changed, brainwashed and sidetracked by the goings-on in the medical field, which perhaps explains the reason why the number of applicants for undergraduate medical courses is on a steady decline in our nation. It may take the death of an innocent soul, or another fiasco of a list of demands by whichever body, to spark a nationwide outrage and a possible clampdown on the health sector. We all want a better Nigeria and have at one time in recent times, foreseen a revolution in the nearest future, we must withal, not offer ourselves as scapegoats to the already-livid Nigerians who may throw caution to the wind and mete out on us, unrivaled discipline the FG has long stalled.

 

Albeit, the human central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord, neither can function independent of the other. The NMA and JOHESU must also view themselves in that light, as recurrent discords between the two bodies would only result in a malignant injury to the nation's health sector, at the end of which they will both meet their waterloo. Therefore, we are equally culpable of the downward spiraling of the nation's laurels, as there are crucial problems we are faced with as the world's most populous black nation than the latest showmanship of dishonor on nationwide display, by us, the members of the medical profession.

Adesegun Damazio