The pathetic pains of our sick brethren

Everywhere one looks, there are many sour sights of citizens dying either slowly or rapidly from diseases and ailment that appear beyond the capacity of their families. These sight present despicable pictures of humans left to rot away, to suffer, or to die like animals.

The reason could be because most state governors and some organs of the Federal Government seem to ignore many sectors of national life requiring urgent attention.

Along the roads in the major cities, one would find horrible-looking humans either in wheelchairs or on the backs of helpers, begging for help, seeking attention. Some hold medical bills of many millions, amounts everybody is sure the wretched persons would never afford.

In top medical centres and teaching hospitals, worse sights abound. Humans are in horrible conditions with big bills on their necks. Right now at the University of PH Teaching Hospital, an ex-member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is lying in bed, waiting to die. Why? A bill of N6m for brain surgery is lying on his shoulder. He was brought in after the poor mother had taken him everywhere, spending ‘akamu and akara’ business money she had on her son who she equally trained with ‘akara’ money.

The young man has been diagnosed with brain tumor. The mother is terror-stricken, asking where on earth she is expected to go lift N6m from. Death is certain if help does not come, fast.

Next to him is a once-vibrant Redeem pastor who is battling kidney wahala. Friends have raised a couple of millions but the journey is just starting. The wife is horrified by the likely outcome. Last line: prayers.

In a country with no form of intervention, no scheme to save people, what is there for a citizen?

Is it not here that governments come in? Should there not be intervention funds to help people in health distress? How many persons can afford N3m to N10m to treat advanced ailments? Some of them are terminal illnesses, which may still end in deaths. How would a woman sell all her husband’s property yet lose him and return to abject penury? Who will help with the training of the kids?

Governments must create systems to help citizens who are sicker than their incomes. A citizen must feel the impact of government: in health emergencies, in education support, and in welfare matters.