University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) has become a difficult place for patients, more especially the poor and average people.
Recently, there are high numbers of complaints from residents on how doctors and nurses maltreat patients because of their status. Some of the doctors and nurses frown their faces while attending to patients.
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Every sensible person should know that a sick person needs to be cheered up, encouraged and not to be maltreated.
If you don’t know anyone who is influential or any staff in UMTH, you are likely not to get the attention needed .
We can recall that in November 2020 President Muhammadu Buhari directed the Head of Service of the Federation and the Budget Office to consider an increase in allocation for personnel and overhead at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
Buhari issued the directive at the virtual inauguration of 150-bed Trauma Centre, new general outpatient department, multipurpose auditorium, and conference centre constructed and furnished by Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum of Borno State.
If the government could allocate huge money, equipment and pay them huge salary, it is inhuman to maltreat patents.
By right every citizen should receive equal treatment regardless of gender, status, religion or ethnicity.
It is advisable for government to create a committee that will be charged with monitoring and ensuring good, quality services for patients at the hospital.
This is definitely the problem many patients face in Nigerian public hospitals, with no one to stand for them. Looking at the level of poverty in the country it is obvious that not every Nigerian can afford to seek for treatment at a private hospital.
Political leaders and appointees should focus on making Nigeria’s healthcare system work.
Wadzani Apagu wrote from Maiduguri
