Allwell Orji’s colleague discloses why the medical doctor killed himself
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Rescue operations to retrieve Orji’s corpse from the lagoon |
A colleague of the late Allwell Orji, the medical doctor who
allegedly killed himself by jumping into the Lagos lagoon from Third Mainland Bridge,
may have provided new perceptions into the occurrence.
the Third Mainland Bridge on Sunday, March 19, alighted from the SUV and jumped
into the lagoon.
pour out some information, complained about many things hampering the progress
of doctors in the country.
THE DOCTOR DIED’. Read what Essien wrote below::
my junior and also a graduate of College of Medicine University of Lagos.
Indeed I left the great citadel of learning just when he was learning the
rudiments of the profession hence our paths never crossed but if they had, I
would have embraced him like a brother and share ward round tales of how we
survived the likes of Professor Bode and Professor Odum.
I heard he jumped off Third Mainland Bridge in an apparent su*cide. What could
have pushed the young man to take his own life? What level of frustration can
kill the joy of life in an intelligent young man?
of medicine in Nigeria has once again reared its ugly head. A profession that
is in the final death throes of extinction has claimed another victim.
doctors as being on top of the food chain hence they carry a heavy burden.
Numerous relatives feast on their finances like hungry vultures who keep on
coming back for more carion. They can never take no for answer for it is said
doctors always have money as if they work in Nigerian Mint.
of dependents, there is the drop in job satisfaction. The recalcitrant nature
of government has left many doctors on half pay, irregular pay or no pay at
all. How can a man with a retinue of dependents and a gamut of hungry mouths to
feed survive when his small stipend is irregular and subject to political
manipulations?
only mounts when you see your colleagues who travelled overseas faring far
better despite your waning patriotic zeal that Nigeria will be better.”
beginning of frustration to harbour such justified thoughts.
poor state of affairs in the health sector. Incessant strikes and decaying
infrastructure have reduced doctors in Nigeria to a basal level of indignation
and anger. It is now easier to squeeze water from stone than ensure the best
possible care for patients.
and blood transfusion services are fast becoming a luxury and it is only a man
of stone who will not feel depressed at the loss of a patient whose life could
have been saved. Doctors see the poverty and the helplessness of the common man
every day. And when you care for another human being, their problems become
your problem as well hence you share in their laughter, sorrow or frustrations.
Nigerian doctor.
culprits of them all are fellow doctors. How many colleagues called Dr Orji and
asked how he was doing? How many went out of their way to show him love through
his time of difficulty? A doctor is not super human. He is flesh and blood. We
all need each other.
rivalry amidst the spectre of consolidating respect and loyalty breeds a
medical milieu that is akin to a rat race or the dog eat dog phenomenon in a
bid to survive shark infested waters of economic recession and financial
stability.”
atmosphere of unequally yoked colleagues is the bane of the medical profession
in Nigeria that stokes the embers of sadness, hopelessness and depression.
the extreme but many more doctors are ill motivated and dissatisfied with the
system. Those who can, have left while others are in the process of leaving.
These are indeed the lucky majority for Nigeria has twice the number of
Nigerian trained doctors overseas than the number at home.
worsening as even more are jetting out as their future in Nigeria appears ever
so bleak.
doctors to close ranks. Care for one another. Respect your seniors. And seniors
stop belittling the younger colleagues. End the rivalry that sees parents
eating their young and vice versa. It takes nothing to be kind to one another.
Kindness and love are all Dr Orji needed but on his day of need we were all
found wanting.
going through a lot but because of the burden of society, they feel ashamed to
speak out. Hence the onus is on us doctors to seek them out and nurture them
back to sound mental and physical health. That’s what it means to be your
brother’s keeper.
learn to appreciate their doctor. This is the sole joy of a doctor that no one
can take from them. Their service to humanity shouldn’t only be rewarded in
heaven but a simple thank you can go a long way to making a doctor’s day. These
are the worst of times to be sick in Nigeria and it’s also the worst of times
for health personnel.
are without a job and are struggling to survive. Even those with a job are
living from hand to mouth.
of Dr Orji’s beautiful Nissan SUV, the man had issues and just a calming word
could have averted this tragedy.
someone today. It might make the difference between life and death. Show love
to someone today. That may give them a reason to keep on living.
spend it unhappy. Put a smile on someone’s face today. Dr Orji is no more and
the doctor died, oh what a day of sorrow for many have tried but have failed to
overcome the sorrow of today. Be an overcomer today.
but its even better when you make someone else happy. It is well….and the
doctor died, oh what a pity for a life lost prematurely to the sands of time.”