A monkeypox sufferer
Let me hasten to tender my apologies if the title of this piece is
found offensive or rude. I first heard about monkeypox a few days ago on
WhatsApp when my friend, Adedoyin Aderonke, sent copious analyses about
the disease. Later, I discovered that the disease has been spreading
like wildfire at harmattan in many states in Nigeria.Since then, I have waited patiently for the urgent intervention of
government in this serious matter. I have taken time to read many
leading national newspapers and blogs with the view to discovering steps
taken by the Federal Government in countering the challenges posed by
the deadly virus. Expectedly – although disappointingly – there is
nothing noteworthy coming from the Federal Government as of the time of
penning this piece.
Nigeria is a country very easy to rule but difficult to govern.
This is evident in the hardship faced by our government in tackling
minor issues of concern. We are governed by leaders that prefer
jettisoning simple but urgent issues of national importance for
frivolities.
The effect of epidemic diseases like this on the collective health
of our nation can never be underestimated. At times like this, if the
disease is left largely unattended to, mortality rate readily increases.
The many helpless citizens continue to die of nonchalant attitude
displayed by their government and not necessarily the said disease.
The proper question however is, does this government really give a
damn about the health and welfare of any citizen? Do they really care
whether the outbreak of diseases like this will increase mortality rate?
The answer to these questions is known to the least informed citizen of
Nigeria. Our leaders place more importance on their personal welfare
than ours – a clear breach of the social contact. They prefer to pilfer
from our treasury to proffering solutions to our minor headache, leaving
a perforated hole in our hearts.
Let’s take President Muhammadu Buhari’s ailment as a case study.
While he was ill, he was immediately flown out of the country for proper
medical attention. This is against many promises to improve health
sector and forbid medical vacation abroad during the 2015
electioneering. The same government could later spend the citizens’
resources to cater for the President’s health but couldn’t spare little
time to cater for this monkeypox affecting many citizens and disturbing
our collective psyche? Well, that experience shows the nature of those
we glorify as leaders.
We can criticise former President Jonathan for anything but he was
globally celebrated for his quick response and attention when Ebola
Virus broke out in 2014. This is no way of glorifying Jonathan but a way
of revealing the sacred truth which is needed at this present stage –
without political sentiment.
The spread of monkeypox has been politicised, replacing the urgent
actions needed to curb it. To add insult to the fatal injury, the health
minister, Isaac Adewole, said the government had yet to confirm if the
ailment spreading across some states was monkeypox, whereas the National
Centre for Disease Control reported cases of monkeypox in some states.
So much drama and excuses all in the view of escaping responsibility and
doing the needless. At this point, what ought to be done is not
pointing fingers but proffering a lasting solution.
Public mockery has been made of Section 17(3) (d) of the 1999
Constitution which declares that “adequate medical and health facilities
for all persons” is the responsibility of government. Even though that
aspect of our grundnorm is not justiciable, it is hard to find
constitutionalism in our ruling class. Up till this moment, no
vaccination has been conducted by the Federal Government. To confirm
this point, the National Coordinator of the NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekwazu,
said “we want to rule out categorically, we are not vaccinating
anywhere. Absolutely not! As far as I know, there is no agency of the
Federal Government that is doing this – civilian or military.”
Additionally, a newspaper reported days ago that military men were
carrying out medical services for students as regards the deadly
monkeypox disease. Whether the news is true or otherwise, it has in my
view succeeded in pointing to the impotency of our health sector. The
medical practitioners in the University College Hospital, Ibadan are
threatening to embark on another strike barely one month after the
resident doctors’ nationwide strike. These are symptoms of how the
ruling class has been carefree about our collective welfare. It is
worrisome.
In a few words, this monkeypox that is seriously spreading like an
inferno is going to kill you if you still await the Nigerian government
and her health sector to come to your rescue. It may be too late or her
aid may not even come. Begin to help yourself.
***
Festus Ogun, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State
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