Medical Education in Chains: The Human Cost of Strikes in Nigeria

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Medicine is arguably the most nerve-racking and demanding course in Nigeria—and perhaps even in the world. Our workload is massive. Our lectures are almost endless. Our exams are so exhausting. Simply put, med school is hard.

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‎There is however another weight we have to bear,  one that makes the course even harder—uncertainty. I am not talking about the uncertainty of passing exams, that is already uncertain(at least for some of us). I am referring to the uncertainty of how long the program will take. It is clearly stated to be six years on paper. However, we are often asked to embrace the possibility of an x. It then becomes six plus “x.” That “x” can stretch into one, two, or even more years.

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‎If this "x" was as a result of the natural rigor that comes with the program, it could have been a bit bearable. It is however unfortunate that this extra x is not usually because of this. It is often because of strikes. Every time doctors, lecturers, or hospital staff lay down their tools, our academic progress is inexorably halted and our lives are placed on hold. Classes are cancelled. Exams are postponed. Graduation dates, uncertain before becomes even more compounded in uncertainty. Our futures stretch more out of sight, and we can do nothing but wait.

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‎The lecturer who strikes fights for his rights. The government he fights claims it cannot live beyond its means. And here we are, caught in the middle. As if the strikes are because of our own failings. After all, we are not owing school fees. We are not the ones failing to meet obligations. Yet we are the ones paying the price. A heavy price at that. One paid in blood, sweat, money and even precious time.

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‎The cancelled classes translate to exams being pushed forward indefinitely. We remain stranded at the same level for years. The almost constant recurrence of not knowing when school will resume, when we will graduate takes a toll on our mental health. For those whose lives revolve solely around medicine, the toll is even heavier.

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‎Even our families are not left out. Landlords will not hear that we are “still in school because of strike.” They want their rent. The stomach does not know that because we are not reading, food should stop. Expenses continue, whether or not classes are held. Only our academics remain stagnant. Not the money we spend.

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‎Worst of all is the loss of motivation. We read and read, but with no clear end in sight. Each passing day eats at our enthusiasm. And if strikes are suddenly called off, lecturers may rush through lessons to cover for lost time(although rare).

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‎This is not only about us. The society too is not left out. Every delayed graduation means fewer doctors enter the Nigerian health system. Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio is already among the worst in the world. Strikes only make it worse. The health of the society is doomed to suffer in the long run.

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‎Strikes hurt everyone. They drain us as students, burden our families beyond measure, and further weaken the already frail healthcare system. The burden of Medical school is already heavy. Why make it heavier with problems we did not create? In the end, it is society that pays the highest price. The government must come to this realization. When doctors are delayed for no tenable reasons, the health of the society will inevitably suffer a painful undoing.‎ For us and society, strikes must end now!!!

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