- seek emergency intervention, funding
From Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Nigerian Doctors in diaspora have called on the leadership of the National Assembly and President Bola Tinubu to urgently set aside special contingency funds for citizens with chronic conditions and practicing medical personnel to tackle rising ailments and the “Slump and Die” epidemic across the country.
The Nigerian Doctors in diaspora, drawn from the United States, United Kingdom, Nigeria, and other African and Asia countries, stated that recent studies have shown that employees in both public and private sectors, including medical personnel, are being drastically reduced by the alarming sudden deaths syndrome.
Dr. Feyitayo Akorede from the United States, a member of the Coalition of Medical Practitioners in diaspora, pointed out that a recent survey has shown a disturbing trend of “slump-and-die” incidents, affecting all ages and professions, both globally and in Nigeria. Doctors are concerned about the astronomical numbers of undiagnosed heart conditions, extreme stress, the alarming increase in chronic diseases such as diabetes, stroke, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cancers, Arthritis, Asthma, Chronic Back Pain, Chronic Kidney Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and substance abuse.
Dr. Akorede, a neurosurgeon, said the call on the leadership of the National Assembly and President Tinubu to act urgently by setting aside emergency funding in the nation’s budget for ordinary citizens and medical experts to assist in reducing the epidemic and ensure medical personnel are strengthened to help the Nigerian populace.
He also called on leaders and management teams in both public and private organizations across Nigeria to urgently take proactive measures in safeguarding the lives of their employees by providing health awareness programs, destressing, lectures, and retreats, and better medical services to their employees to have a healthier and productive workforce.
According to reports, “for many individuals, there are no signs of illness, and it’s so sudden that there is not enough time to call for help. Just a sudden collapse — sometimes in high-stress or emotional settings — and silence.”
“The demographics of the victims range from youths, middle-aged individuals, and the elderly — underscoring that the “slump and die” epidemic cut across all ages.”
“This global “slump and die” phenomenon that has emerged since the post-covid era are now making Doctors around the world to speak out, warning that a silent crisis may be brewing; poor cardiovascular awareness, unchecked hypertension, and a dangerous lack of routine medical screening — especially in young adults and professionals under pressure must be urgently addressed to save lives,” he said.
