“Do you pay tax? But you need world-class well being care” – Reno Omokri queries Nigerians who blame authorities for each tragedy

Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has addressed Nigerians who blame the federal government and hospitals for medical tragedies, together with the current demise of singer Nanyah, arguing that healthcare isn’t charity and should be funded.

Reacting to current deaths that sparked public outrage, Omokri stated many non-public hospitals hesitate to deal with sufferers with out insurance coverage or {financial} ensures as a result of unpaid payments typically result in reputational and authorized bother.

He urged Nigerians to enroll in medical insurance schemes and save for emergencies.

Omokri additionally questioned calls for for world-class healthcare with out corresponding tax contributions, noting that Nigeria isn’t oil-rich when its income is split amongst its giant inhabitants.

He famous that sustainable healthcare requires private duty, insurance coverage protection, and tax compliance.

His phrases …

“Healthcare: Nigerians Occur to Nigeria Extra Than Nigeria Occurs to Nigerians!

Lately, there was a number of condemnation of harmless Nigerian hospitals and healthcare centres due to the unhappy case of Ifunanya Nwangene, who died from issues arising from a snake chunk, after hospitals both wouldn’t or couldn’t deal with her.

Might her soul relaxation in peace. Ifunanya was a rising star who didn’t should die the best way she did. My condolences to her household. Nigeria suffered an enormous loss!

Earlier than her, there was the same outcry after the passing of an Come up TV information anchor, reporter, and producer, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, whose dying was initially blamed on medical personnel earlier than subsequent details exonerated them.

These incidents will hold occurring, and we’ll proceed complaining, whereas nothing will change until we alter as a folks and a society.

What do I imply?

As a folks, we are inclined to emote over issues like this, quite than purpose them out, be taught wanted classes and make societal adjustments to forestall reoccurrences.

The first function of organising a non-public medical institution is to save lots of human lives, promote societal well-being, and make cash within the course of.

All three parts should be in place earlier than you possibly can have a functioning healthcare system.

One factor Nigerians have to grasp is that healthcare isn’t charity, and hospitals usually are not non-profit organisations. When you have a medical emergency and also you do not need medical insurance or funds to pay out of pocket, and can’t present a {financial} guarantor, it is going to be dangerous for any non-public hospital to deal with you.

In the event that they deal with you with out first accumulating fee or a {financial} assure, you, as a Nigerian, will NEVER pay them. Come on, admit it. Am I mendacity?

As quickly as you get properly, you’ll disappear!

When you don’t disappear as a result of the hospital bodily restrains you, you’ll emotionally blackmail them on social media and websites like Saharareporters, as “depraved folks”. And the Nigerian public will help you. The police will get entangled, and the hospital will incur authorized prices and endure reputational injury.

So, if you need entry to emergency healthcare in Nigeria, get medical insurance coverage from the Nationwide Well being Insurance coverage Authority. When you don’t need medical insurance from a public insurer, get non-public medical insurance coverage, which is available in Nigeria.

However don’t go to personal hospitals with out medical insurance, cash, or a {financial} assure, after which declare that Nigeria occurred to you after they refuse to deal with you or they hesitate to take a position lifesaving however costly medicines and procedures on you.

The reality is that in that circumstance, it was you who occurred to Nigeria, since you need every part with out contributing something!

I do know that you just watch American and European motion pictures and see how residents there entry Accident and Emergency wards. However what Hollywood doesn’t present you is the 38% tax that they pay on their incomes.

And in case you are not a taxpayer, they may nonetheless deal with you as a result of they’ve your Social Safety or Nationwide Insurance coverage quantity. However after treating you, they may ship you a invoice, which, if you happen to don’t pay, they may sue you in courtroom, seize all of your belongings, and if there are nonetheless excellent, they may garnish your revenue, which means that any cash you make and which enters your {bank account} will probably be seized.

In case you are a foreigner, your identify will probably be despatched to their international workplace or state division, and you’ll by no means get one other visa to their nation till you pay what you owe. Even if you happen to pay, it’s possible you’ll seemingly nonetheless be purple flagged!

And, as a final resort, you may be prosecuted, sentenced, and imprisoned. Oh sure!

Do you pay tax? But you need world-class healthcare. Who can pay for it? Authorities? From the place?

Oh! I hear you say Nigeria is oil-rich? Who instructed you that lie? Get out your calculator and divide our $36 billion in annual oil and fuel revenue by our 230 million inhabitants, which grows by about 5 million or extra annually.

Qatar, with 2.8 million folks and $70 billion in annual oil and fuel revenue, is wealthy. Nigeria isn’t oil-rich. We’re oil-poor! And with out taxes, our poverty will solely enhance!

So, if you happen to love your self, get medical insurance, or put one thing readinshr apart. When you have an iPhone, hand around in golf equipment and punted. and bone-straight hair, however do not need medical insurance coverage or an emergency fund, you might be in all probability not essentially the most accountable individual.

Reno Omokri

Gospeller. Deep Thinker. #TableShaker. #1 Bestselling creator of Info Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years. Hodophile. Hollywood Journal Humanitarian of the Yr, 2019. Enterprise Insider Influencer of the Yr 2022. twenty first Most Talked About Particular person in Africa, 2024.”