COVID19: Borderless Virus and Lessons for Nigerian Leaders
By Isah Ismaila Gagarawa,
Continents of the globe excluding Antarctica, have continued the battle with a ‘beyond the borders’ Public Health International Emergency Concern (PHIEC), that has sustained its death harvest of human lives without hesitation- the Novel Coronavirus- was first identified amongst an outbreak of respiratory illness cases in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China.
Here in Nigeria, the first confirmed case of this deadly scourge was in February 2020, when an Italian citizen in Lagos was tested positive for the virus. Since then, Nigeria has witnessed a ripple effect and as well recorded cases involving prominent personalities like Abba Kyari, Nasir Elrufa’I, Bala Muhammad, among others.
Before this pandemic, our leaders and their families were known for travelling abroad for medical treatment and checkups. Perhaps as a result of the dilapidated condition of our heath care centers which some have failed to either build or upgrade and equip with modern facilities due to their nonchalant attitude and lack of empathy to the populace.
It wouldn’t be surprising if our leaders travel out of the country to treat malaria which is one of the lives threatening and common disease that troubles millions of people per year in Nigeria making children the most vulnerable and affected group. see www.who.int.news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria
Similarly, professionals were apprehensive about the spread of the coronavirus pandemic to Africa. This was as a result of many challenges the continent is faced with- especially its healthcare systems. There have been concerns on the continents’ lack of standard health apparatus, low funding as a result of corruption, deficient training of its healthcare workers- and Nigeria is no exception.
Despite the funds budgeted and injected into our health sector, there have been several outcries and observations that were solely aimed at drawing the attention of our Nigerian leaders to carry out their constitutional responsibilities of improving the decayed health sector.
However, due to the negligence of Nigerian leaders, little or no attention was given to any of these calls. When the outbreak of this pandemic befell, they were left with the consequences of their administrative negligence because places they normally travel out for checkups, are also battling with the deadly scourge which have resulted them to shut their borders as a measure to contain the scourge.
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Over the years, the corrupt practices of government at all levels in Nigeria have turned our health care system from appalling to critical. The worrisome part of it comes from being confronted with this outbreak. How can a country that has devastating health system battle and win the war against covid-19? It only takes the grace of God!
Could you have ever imagined the son of a prominent leaders like Atiku Abubakar at University of Abuja Teaching Specialist Hospital (UATSH), receiving treatment and people are avoiding contact with him? If not for the virus, he would have probably been in Germany or UK- the presumed haven for them.
Coronavirus have trapped our leaders in the country as well as their decayed health care system because, their safe harbors in some of the developed countries are currently overwhelmed by the healthcare needs of their citizens as their countries are recorded as worst-hit.
Lockdowns resulting from the closure of borders have made both affected and sick Nigerian leaders and elites stuck in their authority and affluence to the extent that they must receive treatment and undergo tests with the masses in the same health care systems.
Be that as it may, this deadly ‘no border’ pandemic to a certain extent, is a worthwhile lesson (excluding the death scenarios) for our leaders- either religious, traditional or political in the legislative and executive arms. This is as a result of the global lockdown that has made unavailable the opportunity for them to leave the country for any reason related to health care or business.
Surprisingly, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation also the chairman of the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, also lamented on the poor infrastructure of Nigeria’s healthcare. Saying that he never knew how bad it was, until he was appointed as head the team. For him to say this, it to shows that he doesn’t receive treatment in the country- unless he is insincere.
For the country, the virus serves as a threat to human existence. But on a brighter side, the pandemic has provided the opportunity for them to examine the more glaring nationwide dilapidated state of the health care systems which is in dire need of reforms and funding.
Most importantly, as we remain steadfast in prayers for the vanishing of this deadly plague, there is a big lesson coming out of the pandemic for our leaders serving as a wake-up call for them to improve our healthcare systems, reposition the health sector’s enthusiasm in responding to emergencies. By complying and taking necessary measures, it will birth an outstanding and ever ready health care system that will turn Nigeria into a hub for health-related vacations in Africa.
Gagarawa is a serving Corps Member in Abuja, and can be reached via [email protected]
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