Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:07am On Mar 12, 2017 |
Luiz1: Any other profession? Ha ha! Programmers, there u have it. These folks sit down all day staring at boring screens. Doctors handle human beings, lives. not programmers. You definitely are not a good programmer. A good programmer can't compare the two professions. |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:07am On Mar 12, 2017 |
funmisticqueen:
did they spend seven years in school, can they save lives. You are not making any point at all. Do you know how many colleagues doctors have lost to ebola, hepatits B, hiv becos they were treating infected people, some of you would say who sent us message but the truth is that if we dont do it no one else will. The only people that will regret being a doctor are those who practice in nigeria and those who were forced to do medicine because your mindset concerning us is appalling. So Medicine is the only profession that comes with professional hazards ? 1 Like |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:07am On Mar 12, 2017 |
clems88: If I read it make I lay egg ![angry](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/angry.png) Abeg me sef go like follow lay that egg, because I couldn't read it |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by bigfrancis21: 8:08am On Mar 12, 2017 |
prof1999: It was fashionable while I was growing up to see parents choose the career path of their children and wards. You’renot going to “amount to anything” if you’re seen reading a single honours course in the university. Parents boast about their children reading medicine, engineering and law; you’ll be forgiven as a young student if you think the university is all about these courses.But over time, things started changing when business administration and related courses started taking the front burner buoyed by the emergence of “wonder banks” and other fast means of making money. Suddenly values that we hold dear started eroding as “making money” became the norm. Nobody cares anymore how the moneywas made, all that matters is that you are rich.That was the beginning of the ‘demystification’ of medicine, engineering and law. Why bother spending years in the university when you’re not sure of what the future hold became pronounced. People started questioning whether reading these courses was worth all the troubles afterall.Last week I met a young medical doctorwho expressed regrets for studying medicine and qualifying as a doctor. “If I had a singing talent like Dr. Sid I wouldhave jettisoned my stethoscope for the music scene,” he said to my surprise. For the records, Sidney Onoriode Esiri, who goes by the stage name, Dr. Sid is aNigerian singer, songwriter and dentist.We discussed at length for more than an hour because this came as a shock to me especially as I have always held doctors in very high regard and would have loved to be one had I been a science student. This is because my lifestyle, comportment, deep reading culture and discipline correlate with what makes a good doctor.As I struggled to encourage this young doctor that he has nothing to regret, mymind went back almost fifteen years ago to a discussion I had with a doctor friend while I was still in the university. This doctor also expressed regrets at the poor human resources planning and structures, unsatisfactory working conditions, poor remuneration, and fewprofessional development opportunities back then. I am made to understand that this is even worse today.When he saw the “progress” his colleagues who read Economics and Business Administration were making during the banking “boom” of the Abacha era, he told me he was in “the wrong profession.” In my young mind then, I remembered telling him that all that was happening was a bubble that will burst someday. And true to my prediction, the bubble did burst and myolder friend said I should consider calling myself a prophet!During that period, 19 banks collapsed leading to the Failed Banks Decree promulgated by late General Sani Abacha which was decreed into law to teach Nigerian bankers who mess with depositors fund a lesson. Unfortunately, there were other bank failures later before the sanity we are now witnessing. When I related all these, the young man felt a bit relieved,especially as I pointed out that even thepresent day society does not see the doctor as “relevant” as they were up to the 90s.After much probing, I discovered that he truly love the profession even though the stress associated with it is not commensurate with the financial rewards. “As a medical doctor, it’s an endless journey of reading and personal development. There are new discoveries almost on a daily basis and if you do not keep track you’ll be left behind. Keeping track means you have to prepare and pass your professional examinations otherwise there’ll be no room for advancement,” he told me, “but one of my major problems is the way the society treats doctors.”I agreed with him. If you doubt that take a look around and see how the society is now obsessed with “celebrities” of various hues and shapes; some are even instant celebrities because they participate in ashow or event or feature in a movie. The society doesn’t even bother if an individual is an illiterate moneybag, corrupt public official or a person of dubious character. It is no longer a secret that this has been taken notches further when such individuals are awarded honorary doctorate degrees by our universities. These are the “doctors” our society recognises and adore!One stark reality about contemporary Nigeria is the dearth of reliable statistics for research and planning; thisreality permeates almost every facet of our national life. Take the doctor patient ratio for instance. Nigeria, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) currently posts a poor doctor-patient ratio of 1:3500 as against the standard of 1:600. It also said the entire medical schools graduate between 3,500 and 4,000 new doctors annually. Another statistics has 1:6500 doctor-patient ratios.One would expect a call to action irrespective of which ratio is used because we have a dare situation in ourhands, but that does not seem to be an issue here like in other things. It is the Ebola issue that seems to shake us out of our lethargy. The doctors showed their magnanimity by suspending their strike. I think this period should providethe opportunity for the government and the society to seriously look into some of the issues the doctors tabled before their strike action.Delivering a lecture titled “Medical Education in Nigeria: The Quest for World Standards and Local relevance,” held at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in 2012, the Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu said only 5 percent of applicants gainedadmission to read medicine. Of these, 2,701 trained in Nigeria left the country to other countries to work in the last four years prior to 2012.It is amazing that with this exodus of our doctors we don’t seem to get it. Dr. Amayo Adadavoh and other doctors who have remained and have now died as a result of Ebola are professionals who have spent years in training. The late Dr. Adadavoh was a consultant, and do we really know what it takes for a doctor to become a consultant? We have lost, and may still lose some of our finest professionals because of the way we treat them.It is not rocket science to understand why some of them are leaving as the working conditions is getting worse, thereby making other countries more attractive. Some of our doctors are presently working in the US, Britain, South Africa, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Trinidad and Tobago and other neigbouring African countries that treat their medical personnel better.Whenever I encounter medical practitioners and I see the evident lack of rewards for people who save lives, I always feel pained. To compound issues, whenever they demand what should ordinarily be their entitlement after spending years in medical school and a longer period preparing for otherprofessional examinations, society is quick to condemn and remind them of their obligation to the same society thathas scant regards for their own plights.Recollect that prior to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) suspending its strike, there appears to be nothing, either from the people in government or those of us outside, to show that we appreciate the fact that lives of ordinary Nigerians are already hanging in the balance as a result of the strike by doctors working in public health institutions across the country. But does it matter in a system so perverted that public officials now make it a culture that they are travelling abroad for simple medical check-up that can bedone in Nigeria?My advice to young Nigerian students who have the love of the profession at heart is this: Go ahead and read medicine in the university because it will always remain a noble and dignifiedprofession. You should not look up to society or the government for your fulfillment; just follow the conviction of your heart. Everything about life cannotbe viewed from the narrow prism of money. There are still things money cannever buy, and being a qualified medical doctor is one of such. I totally understand your story. Many many years ago my parents wanted me to study medicine, that was the plan right up till when I wrote my WAEC and JAMB. However, I made the switch to Engineering the following year and till today I am very glad I did. I saw the footprints very early enough and bailed. Medicine is an honorable course to study but in our today's world, I think it is highly overrated. There are just so many useful courses out there that are very lucrative outside Medicine, Engineering and Law. |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:10am On Mar 12, 2017 |
megareal: I really have no pity for Nigerian Doctors because they have no pity for their patients. They milk you dry in private practices and abandon you to your fate in Govt. hospitals.
I've heard various tales of people who died due to the insenitivity of Drs. Some even disappear for hours during their call time and fail to be reached during crisis. Agreed, the workman is worthy of his hire, but it seems the Nigerian case is about making money first.
If you have no love for humanity , you shouldn't be a Dr in the first place.
Sure @ bolded. The OP emphasised on that too in his article. 1 Like |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:14am On Mar 12, 2017 |
Luiz1: So Medicine is the only profession that comes with professional hazards ? stop being so myopic. 2 Likes |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by fayded(m): 8:16am On Mar 12, 2017 |
divinelove: Chai med/surg stds u need to see them as students they feel they r next to God. But most after practising for 20 yrs still live in rented apartments.
Anyway let's follow our passion no profession is better than the other we need everyone on board the shoe maker abo.ki is as important as a medical doctor.
Whatever u do make sure u make enough money for u and ur family to live a good life, money answers everything in life
I have nt consulted a doctor in nearly a decade, not when i kw almost all the drugs for malaria and typhoid I only see my lab man and pharmacy shop when needed ur wife nko??..she no go consult doctor when she dey pregnant??..oga calm down there.. u need us whether u like it or not 1 Like |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:16am On Mar 12, 2017 |
Joavid:
Doctors handle human beings, lives. not programmers.
You definitely are not a good programmer. A good programmer can't compare the two professions.
Did I mention that am a programmer? Nevertheless, u need to appreciate that other professions are equally important. A single bug in a medical software can affect a doctor's diagnosis. An error with a line of code can result in air plane crash and loss of countless lives. What abt the soldiers that lay their lives on the line to defend ur Country's territorial integritty? So, these guys are not equally important just because doctors interact directly with humans? 7 Likes |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Cyberfreak(f): 8:17am On Mar 12, 2017 |
F 2 Likes |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by RaptObserver: 8:18am On Mar 12, 2017 |
so what should teachers say? As important as a teacher is to the society, they are the least respected and are owed several months of salaries, yet they still do their jobs diligently even with little pay. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:18am On Mar 12, 2017 |
Luiz1: Any other profession? Ha ha! Programmers, there u have it. These folks sit down all day staring at boring screens. ignoramus, how many years does it take to be a programmer, doctors dont sit around all day, they stand, walk and run all day, they dont stare at bloody screens, do they work on weekends and public holidays by default. That is how some people fail waec 1 Like |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:20am On Mar 12, 2017 |
funmisticqueen:
stop being so myopic. U Mrs Hypermetropic.... y don't u come up with a reasonble arguement? |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:23am On Mar 12, 2017 |
funmisticqueen:
ignoramus, how many years does it take to be a programmer, doctors dont sit around all day, they stand, walk and run all day, they dont stare at bloody screens, do they work on weekends and public holidays by default. That is how some people fail waec Nonsense spewer.... Did any one force u? |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:25am On Mar 12, 2017 |
Cyberfreak: Soldiers are more valuable than Nigerian medical doctors. These days even chemists can do their job because they are half baked passion less quacks, making up to 80% of medical profession. At least soldiers put their lives on the line almost everyday to protect others.
That's how I went to the hospital for a sickness I already knew I had and the doctor was writing all manner of tests and x-rays and CT scan for me because he didn't have an inkling of what the problem was.
Those people are just annoying and pompous. Many of them make fatal errors when treating patients then turn round to blame the patient for not taking drugs or doing something else to cause it. Ordinary cataract surgery a relative went for they ended up blinding the man and they didn't take responsibility for that either. But when it's time to brag and raise shoulder they are experts. even soldier have doctors in thier ranks so delete that point. 2. Do we respect soldiers or fear them, dont lie o 3. Every surgery you go for is a risk that is why patient signs consent because surgery can go in any direction. I am sure your relatives were told about the risks involeved because it is mandatory for all doctor to counsel thier patients before any operation. Sorry about your relative though. Dont you brag when you have done something good,so how are doctors different 2 Likes |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:30am On Mar 12, 2017 |
Luiz1: Nonsense spewer.... Did any one force u? nobody did, but if i dont do it who will? You? if so then why didnt u read medicine ehn. It is a course for the creme de la creme which u obviously are not. Mtscheeeeeew 1 Like |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:30am On Mar 12, 2017 |
project55: I heard buhari is like bones no but fresh flesh! |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by damilolammm(m): 8:31am On Mar 12, 2017 |
noavailablename: hmmm....
Note worthy
meanwhile, my first time on the FP since 2014.
Next one would be 2020. I guess ![undecided](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/undecided.png) 1 Like |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:32am On Mar 12, 2017 |
RaptObserver: so what should teachers say? As important as a teacher is to the society, they are the least respected and are owed several months of salaries, yet they still do their jobs diligently even with little pay. Don't mind them. Even, If they should result to whining like babys at every fvcking time. Its allowed, but to go about denigrating other professions? Not in the least bit - Utter Nonsense. 3 Likes |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by GreatMahmud: 8:32am On Mar 12, 2017 |
Cyberfreak: Soldiers are more valuable than Nigerian medical doctors. These days even chemists can do their job because they are half baked passion less quacks, making up to 80% of medical profession. At least soldiers put their lives on the line almost everyday to protect others.
That's how I went to the hospital for a sickness I already knew I had and the doctor was writing all manner of tests and x-rays and CT scan for me because he didn't have an inkling of what the problem was.
Those people are just annoying and pompous. Many of them make fatal errors when treating patients then turn round to blame the patient for not taking drugs or doing something else to cause it. Ordinary cataract surgery a relative went for they ended up blinding the man and they didn't take responsibility for that either. But when it's time to brag and raise shoulder they are experts. Take heart ehn..I know you struggled to get admission to read medicine in the uni ,but it didnt work out. There is still another chance in your next world.. 2 Likes |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:33am On Mar 12, 2017 |
Luiz1: Did I mention that am a programmer? Nevertheless, u need to appreciate that other professions are equally important. A single bug in a medical software can affect a doctor's diagnosis. An error with a line of code can result in air plane crash and loss of countless lives. What abt the soldiers that lay their lives on the line to defend ur Country's territorial integritty? So, these guys are not equally important just because doctors interact directly with humans? |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by mployer(m): 8:34am On Mar 12, 2017 |
funmisticqueen:
1. 7+ x years of med school including strikes, failed exams, etc 2. Dealing with human lives, even 7 years isn't enough to know everything about the human body, even as a consultant meaning you have to spend at least 15 yrs in school, new diseases come up everyday and you have to keep reading. 3. We dont run semester courses, school is year in year out, 24 hrs, on sundays and during christmas. Yes we go to school at night and still find time to read and pass. Tell me any other non medical course that can boast of that. 4. We doctors know that our profession is noble that is why we raise our head high. Med school changes the way you think Keep fooling yourself. The Society has decided to treat you like a normal profession you are. You have to get used to it. 1 Like |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:35am On Mar 12, 2017 |
Luiz1: Did I mention that am a programmer? Nevertheless, u need to appreciate that other professions are equally important. A single bug in a medical software can affect a doctor's diagnosis. An error with a line of code can result in air plane crash and loss of countless lives. What abt the soldiers that lay their lives on the line to defend ur Country's territorial integritty? So, these guys are not equally important just because doctors interact directly with humans? never did doctors say that they are more important than other professionals we just behave with a difference. Doctors will continue to speak out for themselves against injustice. If not we travel abroad. 1 Like |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by freeman67: 8:37am On Mar 12, 2017 |
Medical Personnel especially Medical Doctors have always been respected in Nigeria. Is just that human beings are designed to better themselves no matter how good the situation is.
I can remember that during my service year when all other graduates were paid N9,800 Medical Personnel Pharmacist and Doctors were collecting between N45,000 - N60,000.
In the civil service or other public institution their salary structure is different. They have a different salary structure called COMESS while others are on CONPASS. Apart from that, majority of them working in public institutions also have where they do private practice. So on the normal weight scale of Nigeria Life, Medical profession weigh very high..
Yes people with other Ideas and business grow richer and more respected sometimes, it not diminish the fact that the doctors are still very respected. 1 Like |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:38am On Mar 12, 2017 |
funmisticqueen:
nobody did, but if i dont do it who will? You? if so then why didnt u read medicine ehn. It is a course for the creme de la creme which u obviously are not. Mtscheeeeeew There u go again revealing the sorry content u av uptairs. Its too brain tasking for u to understand that career choice should be determined by passion nd not societal or peer pressure. Am sorry 4 d school that gave u a medical certificate. 4 Likes |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:44am On Mar 12, 2017 |
Luiz1: There u go again revealing the sorry content u av uptairs. Its too brain tasking for u to understand that career choice should be determined by passion nd not societal or peer pressure. Am sorry 4 d school that gave u a medical certificate. are you dyslexic? cos it seems you cant read, are you proud of the career you read in univerisity. Make no mistake, i am proud to be a medical doctor,just not in nigeria 1 Like 1 Share |
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Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:45am On Mar 12, 2017 |
Luiz1: There u go again revealing the sorry content u av uptairs. Its too brain tasking for u to understand that career choice should be determined by passion nd not societal or peer pressure. Am sorry 4 d school that gave u a medical certificate. are you dyslexic? cos it seems you cant read, are you proud of the career you read in univerisity. Make no mistake, i am proud to be a medical doctor,just not in nigeria. When you have learn to to reason intelligibly we'll talk until then, don't quote me. 4 Likes |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:46am On Mar 12, 2017 |
dealchamps: This early morning? Person no go go church again with all this epistle |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Nobody: 8:47am On Mar 12, 2017 |
mployer:
Keep fooling yourself. The Society has decided to treat you like a normal profession you are. You have to get used to it. that is why we are travelling abroad and leaaving you in the hands of pharmacists and quacks when you have kidney problem, bye! 1 Like |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by delana(m): 8:47am On Mar 12, 2017 |
Luiz1: He themed his article on his regret as a Medical doctor, he discussed how his friend [ not him ] regreted being a Medical doctor. He concluded with the 'lofty' prestige and influence that come with being a Medical doctor. Wao great summary, did you study English language? |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by Basic123: 8:49am On Mar 12, 2017 |
6 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Regret Being A Medical Doctor by pimper24: 8:50am On Mar 12, 2017 |
I had these myths growing up, you are a serious student if you are in the science class, you are on top of your game if you gain admission to study medicine. Parents paid huge amount of money for their children to gain admission for medicine in the universities. I remember brandishing Ababeo and Nsienfor New School Chemistry and Nelkon Physics those days with pride all to show that I was in sciences. Unfortunately, these things are illusory. It is only in Nigeria that some courses are made to look like rocket science and at the end frustration set in due to over expectation. We were made to believe that medicine was a profession for rare humans and as such you will never be poor even if you only go to your clinic to sleep. I remember a friend that had to abandon his Engineering course at his 300 when he made the cut-off score to study Medicine. My own cousin failed the 2nd MB and became an outcast in my village and also in my extended family cos he was to be the "first Doctor" in the family. Another guy was almost 30 when he finally made the cut-off after several years of writing the exams. When he graduates at 35 or there about, let's assume he wouldn't fail the Almighty 2nd MB exams, he may have a story like that of the OP ie frustration. I spent some time in Europe and found out that Nigeria has the queerest way of doing things in the world. Studying medicine in Europe was most of the time by choice of some sort and you do not have to kill yourself to graduate from medical college. I recall then in the Enugu Campus of University of Nigeria, those that study TDB were medical students, you have to pass them with great awe. What malady. My friend's sister that graduated from University of Capetown this year a Doctor at 19 partied and holiday ed as far as I know and yet ask her anything you need to know about medicine. It's quite strange around here I tell you. 1 Like |