Pregnant women have petitioned the Federal Government to address the requirements of the striking resident doctors so that they may return to work and provide healthcare to Nigerians.
The women made the request on Saturday in Abuja during an outreach for pregnant women organized by the Non-Governmental organisation (NGO) Help Africans Charity Network.
Doctors affiliated with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) went on an indefinite strike on July 26 following repeated ultimatums issued to the Federal Government to satisfy their demands.
The women stated that access to healthcare delivery, particularly for pregnant women, was critical since they may need to visit a doctor at any point throughout the pregnancy.
Some of the women expressed concern that having to visit private hospitals at a moment of economic difficulty, as some of them are, might prevent them from receiving necessary healthcare.
As a result, they urged the Federal Government to respond quickly to the demands of the striking physicians in order to avoid unnecessary casualties.
Mrs. Hulda Adebayo, one of them, stated that the government should do more to strengthen the health sector because it has all of the required resources.
“A lot of people are suffering, and the government has the resources to put things right.”
“People, especially pregnant women, need to see the doctor when they come to the hospital, so how do you explain to them that the doctor is not on the seat, and she may even be in labour and require immediate attention?”
“The government should take care of the doctors and give them what they want so they can return to work,” she added.
Mrs. Oluchi Ejiagu, another pregnant woman, stated that government hospitals are relatively economical for the average Nigerian, making them the preferred healthcare destination for the majority of them.
According to her, the status of the economy makes it difficult to patronize private hospitals, which is why many people prefer government hospitals with lower treatment costs.
“However, when doctors go on strike, it becomes extremely difficult for women to obtain health care.”
“So I want the government to do something about these doctors because most women do not have the money to go to private hospitals, so they will have a difficult time getting healthcare.”
“Imagine that you regularly spend N5,000 for your pregnant woman’s health care requirements and are suddenly requested to pay N45, 000 at a private hospital for the identical healthcare facilities.
“This is significant. So we want the doctors to return so we can get health treatment.”
Mr. Owen Obakpolo, the NGO’s founder, stated that the goal of the outreach was to provide nursing mothers and pregnant women with a sense of belonging in the midst of the country’s tough economic conditions.
According to him, the NGO, which began operations in Australia, hopes to increase its quota to aid in the reduction of poverty in Africa.
As a result, it has conducted outreaches in Liberia, Kenya, and a few states in Nigeria.
Mrs. Stella Adejo, the FCT Coordinator, recommended pregnant women follow their nurses’ and doctors‘ recommendations during prenatal care and practice exclusive breastfeeding, especially during the first six months of life. Among the goods provided were newborn diapers, clothing, and wrappers.
