Politics

In Nigeria, the lack of improved healthcare facilities has led to high rate of medical tourism while the poor masses who cannot afford the resources for such medical travels become victims of poor health management. Few who leave school as doctors and nurses cannot concentrate to work at home; travelling to the West becomes a key in their plans, as the available opportunities are limited, due to lack of good healthcare facilities. Addressing these issues is most paramount as it is of great concern to global health. Nigeria, and most other African countries have the resources to assure their citizens of the best medical conditions in the world today. The inability of so many countries in Africa to improve healthcare and healthcare facilities is a major problem for global health security. The problem of our leaders and their cabinets to do tangible things at the level of global health is attributed to bad governance characterized by corruptive practices.

The problem with Nigeria is that corruption has become part and parcel of the country’s agenda. Corruption in Nigeria is like a cankerworm that has eaten into the bone marrows of the leaders of the Nigerian government. The amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates in 1914 stands as a key historical moment that put Nigeria in the present cynical condition. The military governments destroyed Nigeria, and in a country that is made up of different ethnic groups, emancipation of ethnic and tribal strife becomes the order of the day. At the inception of democracy, people do not vote based on transparency or character of those seeking elective posts but tribal and ethnic interests. No matter how good you are, if you are not from my ethnic group or my zone, you are not qualified to have my vote. The poor masses suffer these anomalies more and poverty, marginalization, segregation and sectionalism rules Nigeria today.

This decay as seen in the discussion so far has caused Nigerians the loss of basic facilities that are prerequisites for making life bearable and for authentic human existence. There is decay in all facets of the Nigerian government; the education sector, health, personnel management, oil and gas sector, aviation and so on. This collapse has penetrated into the healthcare system in Nigeria, leaving its marks there. These negative marks can only be salvaged if people are ready to cooperate in fighting corruption. The Nigerian healthcare system has witnessed a gradual decline in recent years due to the inability of the government to provide the essential facilities that help in the better running of a healthcare system. In discussing improvement of healthcare facilities, it is important to note that healthcare and healthcare facilities are two complementary points. Looking at the decadence in healthcare facilities in Nigeria, it has to do with all the facets of healthcare, personnel management, good hospitals, emergency services, keeping data sensitivity, health pharmaceutical companies and so on. At the heart of the improvement of healthcare facilities in Nigeria and other developing countries is the importance of a well-equipped hospital. Since the oil relapse in Nigeria in the early 70s and 80s, instead of witnessing a considerable growth in the health system, a considerable decline in budgetary allocation to the health ministry has been noticed. Budgetary specification on the healthcare system in Nigeria hardly exceeds 3% of the overall national budgetary outlay. Primary attention cannot be given to healthcare improvement as politicians loot and embezzle billions of dollars from the national treasury without being charged for embezzlement.

Due to the negligible attention to healthcare system in Nigeria, there is an explosion of private health practitioners in Nigeria that has made the populace more vulnerable than ever. People now rely more on private healthcare systems than government provided health schemes. Since there is a demeaning attention toward healthcare system, most of the available places are either too costly or not functional. This leads to the pluralization of health care in Nigeria with so many getting into the business of patent medicine sellers in order to alleviate the health conditions of the poor. In some states, 75 percent of the healthcare facilities are provided by the private sector. Private medical practice is also on the increase in Nigeria; fewer medical doctors opt to work with the government. Some who work for the government also use the opportunity to manipulate patients by inducing them into visiting their private clinics instead of the government hospitals. Meanwhile, in their private clinics, they do not have the standard facilities needed for the treatment of that particular illness.

The practice of selling and buying medications without prescriptions in Chemist shops in Nigeria has become an opening for many dealers to extort money from the people. The intention originally was to help the poor but at this level, so many ill actions troop in and poor people are exploited. The healthcare system is porous, and the poor become more vulnerable. The doctors who invite them to their personal clinics exploit them, and when they cannot finance it, they purchase behind the counter medicine, where they are exploited all the more. It is important to note that all the payments made for the purchases are out of pocket payments as most times, you are expected to pay for the service before receiving the service. There are few hospitals in Nigeria where the health insurance scheme is active. The Federal ministry of health estimates that over 70 percent of healthcare payments are made out-of-pocket. I remember taking a young accident victim to the hospital for treatment and he was refused treatment until I made some deposits. For life to improve in Nigeria and other developing countries, healthcare facilities must be improved, beginning with the rehabilitation of our hospitals with the most recent and sophisticated healthcare facilities for sustainability of good health. Not just that, our pharmaceutical companies are to be upgraded too, to avoid fake and substandard drugs from entering the healthcare market. Poor quality drugs enter the healthcare market through the back door and this poses a big problem to healthcare security in Nigeria. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria has fought this ailment since 1993 and has actually helped to safeguard the lives of Nigerians through the constant war it wages against fake and substandard drugs and medications in the Nigerian healthcare market.

Another factor about the Nigeria health care system is the growing phenomenon of medical tourism and brain drain problems as byproducts of failing healthcare facilities and delivery in Nigeria. Nigeria and some other developing countries witness a massive embrace for medical treatments overseas. I remember a politician friend who made it clear to me that; “I cannot visit a Nigerian hospital for medical treatment, when I am sick,” and just as he told me, earlier this year, he told me that he is in United States for his routine checks. I remember asking him a question: “if my grandmother in the village is sick, can she make it to the United States too for treatment?” I cannot blame him for coming to the US on a medical trip because he has to take care of his health, but I blame people like him in the government who have not done enough to guarantee safety of life and properties for the poor masses.

The Nigeria of my dream is a Nigeria that is structured on mutual interdependence, love, justice and equity, a country laying its foundation on respect for human dignity, human needs and embellished with the protection of human rights. The poor masses have a life to protect, they have a right to live and this life should be protected. Provision of healthcare facilities is paramount in an effort to restore the dignity and empty life of the poverty-ridden people of Nigeria. Resources are to be distributed equally to all corners of the country, and special attention should be given to the rights of women in the far north who suffer in the hands of their husbands. Equity in health cannot be achieved if clear and conscious efforts to promote population health and to protect the welfare of all people do not become a political imperative. Fighting the Ebola virus and succeeding in that venture is an indication that the Nigerian government can conquer corruption to a reasonable extent if it decides to do that in order to hand over a better life to the ageing and a bright future to the young.

At the heart of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are health related issues; hunger, child mortality, maternal health, HIV/AIDS and Malaria. The year is already half spent, though two thirds of the goals have not been realized. It is still not late because it is never late to save lives. Catholic Social teaching stresses the dignity of every human life and the universal common good. Our leaders need to stand up in the face of the present injustice to guarantee all citizens justice in all fairness. The rehabilitation of the lost glories of our hospitals, emancipated in an ethic of life flourishing, in a nation blessed with so many natural resources, equity will be achieved through distributive justice. All the rural villages neglected for so long will be given attention, and the health workers will begin to have a better attitude toward the sick entrusted to their care. The improvement of the financial strength of the Community health centers, and the early payment of medical health workers’ wages is a prerequisite to guarantee the lives of the poor masses that depend on their services for good life. The life of each one of us is unique; humans are created in the image and likeness of God. The life of every one of us in Nigeria is as important as the life of the president. May the government of Nigeria rise up to protect this Image of God through the provision of the essentials of healthcare and its facilities for the betterment of the citizens, especially the vulnerable populations in the society.

The Church’s teaching on liberation theology and option for the poor reminds us that: “it is important that numerous Christians, whose faith is clear and who are committed to live the Christian life in its fullness, become involved in the struggle for justice, freedom, and human dignity because of their love for their disinherited, oppressed, and persecuted brothers and sisters.” This is an invitation to fight for the common good of all, that those marginalized may be empowered again in their localities through the provision of affordable healthcare opportunities.

I call for a good medical insurance that will be accessible to all, both the rich and the poor alike, not what we had which covers only the rich without covering the poor in the society. By doing this, Nigeria will put the lives of its citizens first before every other thing, checkmating the excesses of some rich corrupt government officials who loot the collective basket of the nation.

I invite the Church to keep promoting the preferential option for the poor, where the government through the continuous knock on their doors from the leaders of the Church, will realize the necessity of upholding the rights of all the citizens, to good and adequate healthcare thereby, providing just means to see to the distributive efficiency of the health system. The Church should not relent, considering experiences of looting and corruption of the past; more young people should be trained in the Church owned hospitals so that they keep alleviating the hopelessness of the communities who have been forgotten by the government. Prayerfully, hoping on God who does not abandon his people, we hand over our leaders, asking for a change of heart and attitude from them in their leadership roles.

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Ngwa Bertrand

26.Nov.2015

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If Russia decides to engage Turkey in a military confrontation over the downing of its plane by Ankara, it could trigger a major war between world powers, an American political analyst in Virginia says. “If there is a military confrontation between NATO and between Russia that could indeed trigger a major World War III or something approximating that,” said Keith Preston, chief editor and director of AttacktheSystem.com, a website dedicated to encouraging revolt against domestic and foreign US government policies.

On Tuesday, NATO member Turkey shot down a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer jet, claiming the aircraft had repeatedly violated its air space. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the jet had been attacked when it was 1 kilometer inside Syria. He warned of "serious consequences" and called it a “stab in the back” administered by "the accomplices of terrorists." In an interview with Press TV on Thursday, Preston said, according to Article 5 of the NATO treaty, if Russia decides to retaliate against Turkey, “that would be considered an act of aggression or an act of war against NATO itself,” because “an alleged attack on one particular member nation within NATO is considered an attack on all.”

Article Four of the NATO treaty calls for consultation over military matters when "the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the parties is threatened" Invoking Article Four, NATO countries met Tuesday after Turkey brought down the Russian jet. However, Article Five was not invoked during that meeting. After downing the Russian jet, which was the first such action by a NATO member since 1952, US President Barack Obama expressed his support for Ankara, saying, "Turkey, like every country, has a right to defend its territory and its airspace." “What the United States tried to do and what NATO has tried to do since the end of the Cold War is extending NATO right up to Russia’s borders and extend Western military bases in the Central Asia for the purpose of encircling Russia,” Preston noted. “And this is in fact an illustration of why it was a bad idea to keep the NATO alliance intact after the end of the cold war,” he added.

“The NATO alliance was created specifically for the purpose of countering the influence of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw pact during the Cold War and once the Soviet Union collapsed and the Warsaw Pact dissolved, there was no longer any rational reason to keep NATO together,” he noted. “Russia is involved… in Syria at the request of the Syrian government and it is necessary that the Syrian government be defended because the only alternative to the regime of President Assad is the seizure of power and then complete takeover of the nation by Daesh,” he argued. Russia has been conducting airstrikes on Daesh positions at the request of the Syrian government since September 30. Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since March 2011. The United States and its regional allies - especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey - have been supporting the militants operating inside Syria since the beginning of the crisis.

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Ngwa Bertrand

26.Nov.2015

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China is set to announce new aid to African nations when President Xi Jinping visits Zimbabwe and South Africa next month, a senior Chinese official said on Wednesday. The trip is likely to boost China's relations with Africa, which supplies oil and raw materials such as copper and uranium to the world's second-largest economy. China is Africa's largest trading partner and the trade volume between them amounted to $220 billion in 2014, according to China state news agency Xinhua. Zhang Ming, one of China's vice foreign minister, said President Xi will provide further details in his keynote speech on Dec 4. "As for whether China will continue to provide support and aid, there will be no doubt about it," Zhang said, declining to provide further details on the aid amount and its purpose.

Xi is scheduled to meet Zimbabwe's 91-year-old President Robert Mugabe on December 1-2, Zhang said. He will also meet South Africa's President Jacob Zuma on December 2-3 and co-chair a two-day summit between China and African countries in Johannesburg after the meeting. The summit in December will be the second such high-level forum following one held in Beijing in 2006, Zhang said. "This African trip by President Xi Jinping will be the most important, comprehensive and valuable visit in recent years," Zhang said. Xi visited Africa in 2013 shortly after he took office as president. Mugabe reciprocated with a visit to China in 2014 in an attempt to seek loans and investments to lift Zimbabwe's struggling economy.

Beijing's focus on growing trade and aid in Africa leaves it open to charges by the West of turning a blind eye to conflicts and rights abuses in the continent. Trade with resource-rich Africa has exploded in the last decade as China feeds its industrial machine amid African demand for cheap Chinese products. The EU has rejected what they call China's "cheque book" approach to doing businesswith Africa, saying it would continue to demand good governance and the transparent use of funds from its trading partners. Chinese firms in Africa also face criticism for using imported labor to build government-financed projects like roads and hospitals, while pumping out raw resources and processing them in China, leaving little for local economies. China's friendship with Africa dates back to the 1950s, when Beijing backed liberation movements in the continent fighting to throw off Western colonial rule.

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Ngwa Bertrand

25.Nov.2015

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Although results of the ongoing reorganization of the basic organs of the Cameroon People Democratic Movement [CPDM] are known in some constituencies, fierce campaigns, unreached consensus, death threats, street protests and accusations of witchcraft has characterized the exercise in some localities nationwide. In Buea, Senators Mbella Moki and Peter Mafany, accused of being at the forefront of intrigues and open blackmail succeeded in disqualifying the list of the Mayor, Patrick Ekema who ‘’enjoyed’’ the backing from some Buea Chiefs. Despite street protests, a petition to the party chairman, and open fighting between Chief Njombe Johnson and Chief Njieh of Buea, Mbella Moki still reigns supreme.

Some youths who were hired to vote for a fee of between 5000frs to 15000frs also protested as their own part of the bargain was never met on time after voting. Although calm later returned to Buea when bank notes exchanged hands, some of the youths could be heard wondering aloud the kind of leaders Cameroonians are in for. In the North West Region, tension is gradually rising in Mezam 1A. According to media reports all the Fons in Bamenda 2 are behind the candidacy of Rose Saningong who has refused to step down in favor of Tazong Abel Ndeh [the former Government Delegate to the Bamenda city council] or Cletus Matoya, an ally of Minister Atanga Nji Paul. Acha Collins publicly observed that the CPDM has since the 90s lost elections in Mezam 1 because of bad leadership and called on his supporters to discard the old guards.

The situation in Menchum is recording another breakdance. Three contenders are at each others throat as counter accusations, panic, intrigues, manipulation, death threats, witch craft and black magic are the order of the day amongst aspirants and some militants. Some militants in Wum central have taken advantage of the gossiping, disunity backstabbing among the hopefuls to make quick cash. Cat calls have also greeted the appearance of a former SDF shadow cabinet Minister, Aka Amuams’ name on multiple lists. However, Hon. Wallang Richard, Mayor Dighambong Anthony and Chou Cyprain are warming up for the battle for Aghem.

The trio are alleged to have secured enough party cards and ‘’bought’’ a good number of idle youths for the voting day. Mayor Wasum of Balikumbat in Ngoketungia Division has rejected any alliance with Digha Ignatius. There is a deadlock in Babessi constituency as the Nkwen Fons’ Palace in Bamenda 111 has remained the permanent secretariat of the reorganization activities. It is certain that the reorganization of the basic organs of the ruling party has come to expose the other side of the coin many think it is a divided house under a leaking roof.

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Ngwa Bertrand

25.Nov.2015

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BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) — Burundi's government on Monday suspended the licenses of 10 non-governmental organizations over allegations they have been involved in anti-government activities.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said the suspended groups played a role in a failed coup attempt in May against President Pierre Nkurunziza, whose decision to seek a third term sparked violent street protests in the capital, Bujumbura.

Gideon Niyungeko, whose group Focode is one of those under suspension, said he was not surprised by the decision and condemned a government he said "kills kids, young men and aged people." His group's stated goals are to promote good governance and development.

Many of Burundi's opposition leaders and rights activists have fled into exile, while some have been assassinated. Among the suspended groups is the one led by Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, a prominent rights activist who is now exiled in Belgium after surviving an assassination attempt.

The U.N. said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has spoken out repeatedly on the importance of civil society.

"It's clear that every society needs a healthy civil society," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said when asked the U.N. chief's response to the government's action.

He said the secretary-general's newly appointed special adviser on Burundi was arriving in Bujumbura on Monday and will be holding meetings and reporting back in response to the Security Council resolution adopted on Nov. 12. It condemned ongoing killings in Burundi, threatened sanctions, and asked Ban to deploy a team to Burundi to work with the government, African Union and other partners to "develop options to address political and security concerns."

The government has been carrying out a disarmament operation in volatile parts of Bujumbura, hoping to get weapons out of civilian hands, but many people here blame the security forces for a wave of extrajudicial killings that have raised international concern. Some of those killed, however, have been supporters of the government, including a military general who had served as a spy chief.

Gunfire and loud explosions now characterize life in Bujumbura, and many have fled their homes over safety concerns.

The U.N. says at least 240 people have been killed since April, but the actual death toll is likely much higher.

Although the current conflict appears political, Burundi has a history of deadly conflicts between the country's Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups.

Nkurunziza took power in 2005 near the end of a civil war in which some 300,000 people were killed between 1993 and 2006.

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Ngwa Bertrand

24.Nov.2015

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U.S. President Barack Obama said on Saturday the Mali hotel attacks only stiffened the resolve of the United States and its allies, which would be relentless in fighting those targeting its citizens and would allow militants no safe haven. In a speech at a regional summit in Malaysia, Obama described Friday's raid and hostage incident in Mali as "another awful reminder of the scourge of terrorism."

"It stiffens our resolve to meet these challenges," he said. "The United States will be relentless." Obama said the United States is trying to account for Americans who may have been at Mali hotel. At least one American citizen has been identified among the 19 dead. He said U.S. forces in Mali helped prevent a greater loss of life.

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Ngwa Bertrand

21.Nov.2015

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