*A Renewed Call to Upgrade the Nigerian Healthcare Delivery Institutions*
By
*Dr Eleanor Nwadinobi*
President of the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA)
The tragic story surrounding the death of Sommie Maduagwu of Arise News TV Station, is a wake up call for Nigeria and Nigerians .
A wake up call especially with regard to the current state of our security institutions, medical and healthcare institutions and above all, our educational institutions.
Nigeria has happened to Sommie and several others. Who will be next ? The greatest sign of a dysfunctional healthcare system and lack of trust in healthcare institutions of a country, occurs when the majority of the elite seek health care or die in foreign hospitals or clinics.
I wish to express my most sincere condolences to Sommie’s family, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, the Chairman and CEO of Thisday Arise Group family and Nigerians.
This is not the time for the usual talk about launching of a thorough investigation neither is it the time for trading blame. Courageous Nigerians have expressed their despair and lack of confidence in the state of the Nigerian healthcare delivery system and instititions.
Silence is not an option and medical women globally are joining their colleagues in Nigeria to advocate for improvement in the health care delivery system.
It is a time for the Nigerian government to prioritize security, health care and education.
Sommie represents millions of Nigerians who have perished on account of the deterioration of Nigerian security and health care systems.
We must accept that the healthcare delivery system of Nigeria is broken and we call for all hands on deck to simply fix it.
