I cry when I am happy: I cry when I am sad

 

I cry for Nigeria: It makes me happy and sad

 

I have cried several times for my poor mother who died of kidney failure many years ago. The pain of what she went through is still fresh because I could not help her. If I had the money then and she had more time, perhaps I would not have hesitated to send her abroad. Would it have made a difference? Prolong her life for a bit? Perhaps! But she would then have had to return to Nigeria, to her husband, family, and the same health care system.

 

What then, I had asked myself, those many years ago? What then? Going abroad is only a short term fix.

 

Today, I want your permission to cry out against medical tourism. You will understand as I detail some of the fundamental reasons why medical tourism is bad for Nigerians. Perhaps this article may galvanise you to do something about your own local hospital. There is danger in medical tourism for Nigerians.

 

Danger, danger

 

There is real danger in going to places such as India, United States of America, South Africa, United Kingdom and Egypt for medical treatment. Many patients travel to these countries without proper information about who the doctors are, their qualifications and experience. A few patients have returned from these countries with much more than they bargained for. Some have had unnecessary procedures (especially in India), the wrong operations and treatments; and others have significant, lingering and life-long complications. Mistakes, complications and death do happen in these countries, as anywhere else. Sadly, nobody is willing to talk about the real problem, so many other patients trudge the same route and we are no better for it. Let us discuss the issue in a logical way.

 

Acute care abroad

 

There are certain conditions, such as stroke, which cannot wait for a visa to South Africa. Stroke is a brain attack where there is obstruction of the blood flow to a part of the brain. It is an urgent condition that needs treatment within a few hours (some doctors say four hours). Within that period, the obstruction can be cleared with clot bursting drugs and so blood flow to the brain re-established. Once brain damage has occurred, there is little that can be done. Unfortunately, patients going abroad (especially to India and Germany) are offered all sorts, including stem cell therapy. The truth is, you lose huge sums of money and still get to keep your stroke.

 

Another condition is spinal cord injury. The initial emergency care is best done locally. I once had a Lebanese chap who had a road traffic accident and spinal cord injury. He was paralysed due to the pressure on his spinal cord. His people were anxious to repatriate him immediately, but I advised them against it.

 

We operated and managed him for a few days before transferring him to Lebanon. Last I heard he remains well, rehabilitating close to his family. The point is, you should not go abroad for acute spinal cord injury and rehabilitation, unless you are prepared for complications and the risk of acute death. Ditto for acute head injury.

 

Chronic care abroad

 

Treatment for conditions such as kidney failure and diabetes in places such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Israel does you no good whatsoever. The drugs prescribed are often in a different language, not clearly explained to the patient, not available here in Nigeria and our doctors cannot use them or know the side effects of these drugs. How many months’ supply can you carry home? How often will you need to be importing the drugs and at what expense?

 

Okay, you have the money, but what about other Nigerians? Should we not concentrate on improving our training facilities and manpower in all aspects of your care? Isn’t it better to have your doctor close by? Isn’t it safer for you?

 

Cancer care abroad

 

Cancer cannot be treated effectively abroad. Cancer treatment has so many dimensions and ramifications that local care is better. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy often lasts for months and requires specialist care and expert nursing support. Cancer takes its toll on everyone; most of all, the patient. You feel weak, tired and sick as a parrot. It is the worst time of your life and the exact time you need loved ones around you.

 

Conclusion

 

Going abroad is a short-term fix. The question you should ask before considering medical tourism is this, ‘What happens when I return?’ Funny thing is that everyone blames the government. Yet, the people in government are our brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers. Talk to them about doing their jobs and preparing a future of clinics and hospitals that are prepared and ready to save your life. We have to evolve and develop our local health care delivery to save our lives.

 

My life!

 

Your life!

 

And, the lives of Nigerians yet unborn.

 

BY BIODUN OGUNGBO

Punch