From: barnhart@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Mr. Aaron Barnhart)
Subject: IPS:NIGERIA: STRIKE CRIPPLES MEDICAL SERVICES
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 13:57:54 GMT
Organization: Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A.

Copyright Inter Press Service 1992, all rights reserved.  Permission to re-
print within 7 days of original date only with permission from 'newsdesk'.

Title: NIGERIA: STRIKE CRIPPLES MEDICAL SERVICES


an inter press service feature

by ebunoluwa okusanya

lagos, dec 26 (ips) -- once, by just making it to lagos teaching
hospital (luth) a patient was assured of the most up-to-date and
efficient medical care.

but for the past three months nigeria's second largest
government-owned specialist health establishment has almost
become a no-go area for even the most critical.

take the case of 32-year old dehinde fakeye who was rushed
into luth's casualty reception unconcious. he was bleeding
profusely following a car crash.

but there was no-one to attend to him. fakeye's friend had to
dash him to a more costly but less better-equipped private
hospital.

a nation-wide strike by non-academic staff at all specialist
hospitals in nigeria, begun in october, has partially paralysed
medical care across africa's most populous oil-rich country.

''there are no sterile packs (used to clean the surgical
theatre), no cleaning of the toilets and wards, no clean
bedspreads to mention a few'', a doctor at luth told ips.

he is one of the skeletal staff remaining at the once reputed
hospital. only senior staff and student nurses mill around the
corridors of this imposing facility.

the non-academic staff, who are members of the powerful non-
academic staff union (nasu), resorted to strike action after
authorities failed to pay them approved salary increases.

the strike also led to a shutdown of university college
hospital -- the nation's premier specialist medical centre. all
patients there where subsequently discharged.

the strike aside, most of the country's hospitals are in a
deplorable condition with aged or poorly serviced equipment.

at luth, the ''chillers'' used to cool surgical equipment are
in disrepair. an estimated 2.5 million u.s. dollars is needed to
re-condition the machines, according to layi onifade, hospital
spokesperson. (moreips)
ret rop043


nigeria: strike (2)

but, he said the federal authorities had repeatedly turned
down requests for funding.

minor operations have been suspended. wards that used to
cater for up to 15 patients, now have as few as four.

''i have been the only surgeoon in my unit since august'',
said another weary doctor. he added he had not been off-duty for
over a month.

onifade confirmed that all major surgery had been suspended.

''it is logical that if you cannot help a patient, there is
no point in admitting him'', he said.

the crisis is all the more serious during this festive season
when traditionally there is increased pressure on medical
services due to road accidents.

onifade appealed for cash donations from the public to
maintain the hospital, once one of the best in west africa.

''there is no way we can generate the funds required from
internal resources'', olifade said.

but a reliable source within luth placed the blame squarely
on the hospital authorities.

''most of the equipment is not serviced in time or replaced
when due because of wrong priorities'', he said citing the
collapse of one the hospital's theatres as an example.

a promise by federal health minister olikoye ransome-kuti to
uphold the striking staff's demands during meetings with the
hospital directors in october has yet to be honoured.

until then, many government hospitals will remain no-go
areas for needy patients. (end/ips/eo/ro/fc/oa/92)
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