“For those able to travel abroad, their diagnosis will probably be delayed until they can travel…there will be increasing loss of confidence in hospitals here at home,” Dr. Adeoye added, saying that the overall productivity and health of the nation’s workforce will decline.

Restoring Peace, Tranquility and Trust

At a recent seminar organized to restore harmony in Nigeria’s health sector, Dr. Obinna Onodugo, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Enugu State branch, said collaboration is still critical in the health sector and teamwork will make healthcare in Nigeria more effective and durable. He asked healthcare professionals to stick to their roles as a way of avoiding disagreements.

“Let us understand our roles and stick to them to avoid friction among us. The function of every health professional is as important as the other. Let this new dawn of marriage begin from Enugu State, so that others can learn of the good news, and so join the vanguard of change,” he said at the seminar.

Dr. Adeoye asked relevant authorities not to turn what should be issues of firm governance mechanisms into marketplace haggling of legislation for the highest bidder.

“There will definitely be chaos and outright anarchy down the road. The first duty of government is the security, well being and welfare of the populace. So, clearly, what we’re dealing with is a failure of governance,” he said.

“The loss of lives resulting from the various strikes must be seen as failure of governance, just as the deaths resulting from insurgency, militancy, crimes, fake and adulterated drugs and the like.”