767 What's your emergency?

Everyone was in a hurry to beat the Lagos traffic rush typical of Monday mornings, especially if you live on the Mainland and work on the Island.  It is only ideal that you’ll make the journey out as early as 5am. So it was exactly 6:10am when I made the descent into Victoria Island through Amadu Bello way. Then I saw him… 

At first I thought he had a mental condition as with so many random people one would find roaming the streets of Lagos. But he looked too tidy to be insane… Well, I had to take a second look. He was lying on his belly, arms stretched backward on both sides, head jerking back and forth in uncontrollable movements, puke running from his mouth and nostrils. I was also sure I saw blood. I didn’t take another look for fear that it was really blood… 

It reminded me of a lady who sold all kinds of fruit on a popular route within Surulere where I grew up. The first time I saw her, I must have been 10 years old at the time… My Mum had said she was having an epileptic seizure. I didn’t know what it meant at the time. All I knew was that a lot of people had gathered; some frantically trying to remove any harmful item around the surrounding where she was convulsing, to minimize any bodily harm her jerks could add to the situation. Some others scampered looking for something to restrain her teeth from clenching. They claimed if it clenched in the process of her seizure she could die. Some others just stood around watching. A lot of people where barking out orders, ‘leave her alone, the thing go soon stop’ they shouted in pidgin. Curious strays asked ‘wetin dey do her? ’ 

I remember feeling very scared that she might hurt herself and die in the process. Mum had on few occasions bought coconut from her. Those few times she was in a good mood to make us coconut rice… After what almost seemed like eternity, the body movements stopped and calm was restored. I remember looking at her and seeing a scared little child in an adults body; a very embarrassed one at that. She tried to shake off the debris that had stuck to her dress. She had a few bruises on her face…she looked ashamed and angry… 

I snapped out of my flash back, was this another version of what I had experienced as a child I asked myself… Everyone was going on like nothing was happening, cars kept on moving and pedestrians kept walking, away from the scene. I couldn’t fault them entirely. The fear of Ebola had become the beginning of wisdom. Some had died from sheer ignorance while others died as an act of bravery… 

My first reaction was to pullover. But I wasn’t skilled. Other than what I’d seen in the medical series, Grey’s Anatomy, I knew and had no first aid training or experience. I was now driving at snail speed. The car behind honked aggressively; almost like I was a nuisance by choosing to stare at the helpless man… My conscience couldn’t allow me drive past him… All I could think of was that this man, helpless at the moment, could be Father, Brother, Mentor and Friend to so many. Yet in this time of need, no one stopped to help. 

And in a split second I pulled out my phone. I wasn’t sure who to call. My colleague recalled the Lagos State emergency number. It had been announced on air on some radio stations. I dialed 767 and in a second I heard a voice. She mentioned her name but I was too excited that the number actually worked to bother.  She asked what the emergency was. I gave details. She repeated my report to be sure she had the right information. She asked for my name, I provided same. She thanked me and then said they would send out a medical team to the scene as soon as possible. 

I felt relieved that at least someone skilled enough would provide help. Five minutes later, I received a call from someone confirming the emergency call I made. I was glad for the very first time that a system in Nigeria could work. It signaled there was hope somewhere, sometime, someday; for this beloved country I called my own. 

I am unsure how it ended. I guess that’s the feeling that comes with making emergency calls… You keep wondering how it all ended. But I am comforted in the fact that I did something. I pray he got the right help and survived… 

We really can make a difference in society if we all tried a little bit more and cared some more…If you are unsure what to do in an emergency situation within Lagos metropolis, please dial the emergency numbers ( 767 & 112 ). They work!! With the right assistance and resources, we can make a difference and bring about the required change this country and we the people seek.

Till next time, stay safe and be your brother or sister’s keeper! 

Toodles… 

Kechy!