Nostalgic reflection of changing environment: retreat, strategies and new insights

The 2020 COVID-19🦠😷 era was a phase of untold physical and mental torture to the global citizens but most especially the healthcare system was relied upon as the Messiah of the universe. I had my fair share of physical and mental torture, especially as the front-line medic in the hospital where I worked, one of the topmost and oldest hospitals in my city. We had six doctors running shifts in the hospital and two of them came down with the pandemic, leaving the workload to the remaining four doctors. I enjoyed clinical practice but, it took an unfavorable toll on me. Probably there is truth in the saying that, 'hard work begets more hard work.'

My career obligations revolved around work, home, and friends which engaged me actively hardly giving me time to breathe fresh air. The passion I put into selfless service gradually dwindled from excessive stress. Being the front-line medic vested much responsibility on me not only among my doctor colleagues but with other medical workforce within the hospital. The calls I received even at periods when I was supposed to have my off duty began to be a worry. My remuneration stood grossly inadequate and despite hopes for a raise, stagnancy seemed to be the endpoint. My service was selfless but I began to lose job satisfaction and began to seek alternatives.

Private organizations often use their employees to a point where they can almost break down. Private organizations often get services for what they pay their employees for, usually by stiffening the work environment in a bid to maximize output even with a minimal workforce. The security in private organizations is often not safe and only a few give hope in services such as pensions.

The hospital environment became mentally disturbing for me. The place I once looked up to became a place I dreaded. This was beyond getting tired of the usual, I was drained and had nothing much to achieve for myself. Actively, I searched for an alternative working environment and preferably, a government establishment.

Shortly a year after working at the private hospital, I secured government employment and was posted to a rural community. The community I got posted to was about a hundred minutes drive by road from the capital city where I lived and the terrain was equally bad. I was offered a free apartment to stay which had water and electricity charges borne by the hospital management. The apartment was grossly substandard compared to the city homes but, was conducive for me to live in. Network connectivity was equally bad and thus, I worried less about staying active on social media.

I found adaptation a bit difficult at the onset of my relocation but gradually, began to settle in. I brought my 3kg gas cylinder and a few cooking utensils. This was the first time I was living light in a new environment. Lucky for me, the apartment had a mattress and a few furniture shared with a male nurse.

Often, I arrived at the community on Monday evenings or Tuesdays to run clinics and attend to emergencies all through to Friday, living light. I was the most superior medic in my new working environment and a major decision-maker. The workload was light and had evenings to rest except for occasional emergencies that popped up. My expenses were minimal as food was relatively cheap and enjoyed the goodwill gifts of villagers and community members who appreciated their doctor with foodstuffs from their farm produce.

I began to feel at least less stressed within the new environment. The wrinkles of stress on my face gradually disappeared and I began to have my sanity back. Relocating to the community felt as though I withdrew to a haven where I could meditate and regain my sanity. The only threat I foresaw was not being able to grow in my career as I was exposed to only regular health conditions with no excitement of challenging disease conditions.

MY RICE FARMING PRODUCE

My first farming experience began in that community. My stay was less than a year but the community ruler offered me free land to farm which I keyed into alongside the male nurse that was my neighbor. I engaged in planting corn and rice of which the experience contributed to my farming engagement this year 2024.

Secondly, I sat for my primary residency training examination in April 2021 and passed on the first attempt. By then, I was back in the city to train for residency. Little did they know I had enjoyed ample time in the community which gave me a better advantage in preparing for the examination.

I was drawn to the community and so were they. Painfully, since I left the community in 2021, they have not had a doctor to replace me mainly because of the scarcity of doctors within the state. So, I still receive calls for consultation mostly from the medical team of the hospital and occasionally from some community members. I hope to revisit the community to bond with the staff of the hospital who do well to keep the communication channel open till today.

MY REVISIT TO THE FACILITY A YEAR AFTER

Thank you for reading. I would love to have your comments and contributions.

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