“I currently work at the infectious diseases unit in my centre and attend to patients with Lassa fever every other day despite safety measures not being optimal. It’s disheartening that the system can’t even protect health workers.”

These were the words of John Ebong, a medical doctor based in Jos, who was pierced by a needle while he was attending to a hepatitis B-positive patient on March 13 and found it difficult to access necessary care.

While lamenting the situation on Thursday via a post on X, the doctor said that it was frustrating being a Nigerian doctor.

“I had a needle prick from a Hep B-positive patient I was attending to yesterday (on Wednesday). I needed to do some investigations and get the Hep B immunoglobulin,” Ebong wrote on X.

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The doctor added: “Almost half of my salary was gone in less than 24 hours for an exposure I got trying to save a life. The hospital isn’t lifting a finger. Pay house officers wage award, no way. Okay, include them in the 25% salary increment, MBA. Include them in health insurance, for where? Yet, we’re exposed to about the greatest risk.

“Utterly frustrating being a Nigerian doctor.

“Still haven’t been able to lay hands on the Hep B immunoglobulin I need. I’ve been searching since midday. If you’re in or around Jos and know where I can get this, please kindly help.”

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As of Thursday evening, when he made the post, the doctor had yet to access hepatitis B immunoglobulin, the injection used to prevent the development of hepatitis B.

However, the doctor revealed, through a follow-up post he made on Friday morning, that he had made efforts to ensure he got the medication from Abuja before the end of the day.

“Had to look outside Jos and managed to place an order from Abuja. I will be getting it within the day,” he wrote.