Healthcare providers reveal alarming rise in dead bodies over patients due to economic hardships. Discover the impact on minimum wage challenges.
The Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP) has reported that private hospitals in Nigeria are closing down as a result of the severe economic downturn.
The organization highlighted that the current economic climate has compelled many Nigerians to resort to self-medication, leading to serious health complications, including organ failure and death.
In an exclusive interview with OBASANJONEWS, ANPMP Chairman Dr. Odia Festus Ihongbe noted that morgues are increasingly filled with deceased individuals while hospital beds remain unoccupied.
He explained that patients often seek medical assistance only in critical situations, expecting immediate solutions, and some prefer to die in hospitals due to family confusion.
Dr. Odia pointed out that many Nigerians now rely on online searches for their symptoms and purchase medications from pharmacies until their conditions reach a critical stage.
He also mentioned that private hospitals are unable to meet the recently approved N70,000 minimum wage due to insufficient revenue, raising concerns about the sustainability of healthcare services provided by the private sector, which employs a significant portion of healthcare professionals.
Furthermore, he expressed frustration over the government’s lack of support for the private healthcare sector, emphasizing that rising costs of essential medications and medical equipment, exacerbated by the foreign exchange crisis, pose additional challenges.
Peoplesmind
