A doctor at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), forced to discharge a patient that was due for surgery to stop the heavy bleeding from his tumour-infested left wrist, says she regrets choosing to become a doctor in Nigeria.

Resident doctors in government hospitals in the country began an indefinite strike action on April 1 over the failure of the government to pay house officers (or medical interns) their salaries for months and review the N5,000 hazard allowance of doctors.

“So, doctor, is that how you’ll discharge me home, with this thing on my hand, bleeding with no control? I thought they said my surgery was tomorrow,” a doctor at JUTH, Afrah Mohammed, wrote on Twitter, quoting her patient.

The unidentified man had been transfused with six units of blood as he awaited the amputation surgery which was difficult for him to come to terms with.

“…I went with a heavy heart to inform him of the strike, discharge him and counsel him to seek help ASAP,” Mohammed stated.

“As a house officer, you do all the dirty work, including discharging patients in the face of death. Immediately I heard his words, the knot in my throat got heavier. I wanted to cry. I regretted the day I chose to become a doctor in this country.”

READ ALSO: Intern Doctors Across Nigeria Working Without Pay

Seeking help at private hospitals is the only option available for the patient who is bleeding heavily. But it is not an easy one as medical services are more expensive at private hospitals.

 “…The problem is he wouldn’t be the family member of any of those people at the top who are refusing to take these things seriously. It’s day nine of the #NARDstrike and they are still dragging feet,” Mohammed lamented.