The case of the South African athlete Caster Semenya has introduced me to a ‘new’ classification of the human specie. We have lived with the definitions and redefinitions of humans from a simple male/man and female/woman to variants of either sex.
With the advent of political correctness, health-related pandemics, societal discrimination and clever manipulation by various interest groups we have come to live with previously unknown categories of people’Some classifications have been granted on grounds of lifestyle and health or natural conditions. There have similarly been contentious classifications proposed by groups and other parties.
Society as a whole has had its say, as have the experts in these matters, following recent discoveries of human composition that were previously unidentified.
It has been suggested that some of these modern classifications are ones of convenience to satisfy pressure groups.
The gender tests required of the 800 meter gold medal winner from the last World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Caster Semenya of South Africa, introduced me to the ‘inter-sexual’.
While I shall not debate the merits of the classification, I wonder if this athlete is unique in her composition or this is one that exists in larger numbers and not an isolated regional case.
The IAAF, has stated that in the light of the findings, they would have to consult with the athlete privately and were more concerned about the health risks associated with her condition. There is an apparent danger to Caster Semenya if this condition is not addressed.
This issue raises the questions of preparedness of Nigerian health authorities for firstly identifying and then assisting any cases such as this in the country.
Are there any inter-sexuals in our society, can we identify them and can we provide basic care for them?
Are we prepared as a nation for cases that may similarly exist within our society with adequate facilities for identification and the expertise for diagnosis and treatment?
Are there any other cases that threaten the lives of the people, which we are capable of diagnosing and the assisting the afflicted?
One of the significant signs of progress and development is the provision and availability of basic primary healthcare facilities and services.
What are the life-threatening health risks associated with being inter-sexual?
And most importantly, what is the state of our healthcare provisions for Nigerians?
President Obama is currently engulfed in a major healthcare debate in America. The nation is at battle stations, in all town hall meetings, over the proposed policies of the current government. Healthcare is an important issue to the lives of Americans and I am sure to citizens of every country.
While our leaders jump on the first available private jet to either get medical treatment or hold retreats for discussing the state of the nation’s health, abroad, what is planned for the ordinary Nigerian?
There are many unknown illnesses and afflictions existent in Nigeria. Beggars on the street give you greater insight and visuals to thee than you can get anywhere else. A country of physicians, doctors, nurses and experts without the dissemination of knowledge and understanding to the public, is what one can see.
On the surface, we contest the acceptance by society of certain social classifications of people, most vehemently when such classifications do not meet our moral and social codes. This is more self-serving than serving the nation.
I am yet to witness a proper national debate on healthcare in Nigeria. Public hospitals are few and many cannot cope with the needs of society. Private hospitals are pretty and highly-expensive so just the few who cannot at that time be bothered to travel out of the country, can afford them.
I presume that in a country of 150m (I like that figure), there must be threats to lives and the general population. It is a natural means of population reduction, however, should Nigerians needlessly fall off the census list because diagnosis and care is lacking?
This brings me to the great Nigerian killer called ‘brief illness’. People die everyday and obituaries confirm they died of ‘brief illness’. What exactly is ‘brief illness’?
Word on the street is that ‘brief illness’ is a major killer and a term used to describe that which we cannot be bothered to diagnose or even have the capacity to do so. Nigeria is being ravaged by ‘brief illness’ while the world is discovering threats to human existence.
We need a definitive policy on healthcare in Nigeria. A public policy and system for the ordinary Nigerian while the rest of us make long-distance trips to expensive and well-equipped hospitals abroad or sit at some Copacabana hut, away from the country, discussing health proposals.
We need to be less reactionary and more proactive n issues of health and well-being. Beggars in the streets should cease to serve as specimens in our understanding of medicine.
When a child asks what an A-sexual or Bi-Sexual is or simply screams ‘Daddy! See sexual!’ I must know how to explain things to him/her.
Handicapped, Heterosexual, Homosexual, Uni-sexual, Multi-sexual, Inter-Sexual or Aliens, a society like ours and indeed elsewhere in the world, is full of plain humans who need care and deserve it.
Caster Semenya will get her treatment and probably keep her gold medal to ease the embarrassment brought about by the whole gender-test episode. Many more may see this as an opportunity to come forward and make known their afflictions. They also will get help and yet again another bit of medical discovery will take its place in the books.
While I am almost certain that this is not a unique case around the world, the spotlight for me is on the need for enlightenment, preparedness for discovery, analysis and assistance as part of a larger healthcare plan for a nation.
Similarly, I do not think that some of our abusive, aggressive and violent Nigerian women are all hermaphrodites.
What do you think?
