Benjamin was a 16 year old SS 2 student who lived with his parents in a local community in Delta State. On Thursday 23rd September, he had an Asthma attack in school. His friends and teachers managed to take him to a local clinic. It took them about 20 minutes to get him from school to the clinic. He went into coma before they got to the hospital. When they got there, the only doctor on duty said they had no drugs to give him, alternatively they tried various measures to no avail.
Benjamin stayed alive for 45 minutes before giving up the ghost.
The doctor, nurse, teacher, his friends from school and his mum watched while Benjamin took his last breath. They couldn't help him. No one could help him. He didn't have an inhaler, the clinic didn't have the drugs he needed. So they just watched...and he died.
Benjamin had wanted to live...he'd wanted to be a rapper...thats why he fought death for 45 minutes.
The most ironic part of it all is that Benjamin has an uncle who is a big doctor in the US.
It's sad right?
So my question is this: if you're a Nigerian doctor practising abroad, what do you think you can personally contribute to enhance health facilities in your local community?
If you're not a doctor, what do you think doctors should do, or what can you do to help the health sector in your local community?
