The film was not surprising to me as I know that Nigeria is a developing country that experiences severe political, economic, and social issues. I expected to see severe issues in the healthcare system but seeing all those problems and suffering was still quite challenging. I was not surprised to see the conditions that are far from being appropriate for emergency units, but it is still hard to see exact cases and particular procedures.
Irrespective of the lack of resources, Nigerian communities still have some strengths enabling them to address the issues they encounter. For instance, people are committed to contributing to the development of solutions to problems. The doctor and his colleagues advocating for the use of specific equipment to reduce maternity deaths is inspiring. Trust is another strength that can be instrumental in solving existing issues. Families trust their care providers, which positively affects their treatment. Patients adhere to the developed treatment regimen, and this collaboration is critical for the healing process.
I believe these strengths can be transferable to my work in the United States. I witnessed the cases of crises and how they were addressed in communities with limited resources. I intend to be committed in my practice as well, trying to advocate for my patients’ needs. I will also invest more effort in developing trust-based relationships with my patients. In many cases, healthcare professionals attempt to rely on their authority when communicating with patients. At that, nurses should be emphatic and supportive to help patients cope with their health-related issues. This attitude is critical with vulnerable populations, and I will try to provide comprehensive care to my patients advocating for their needs.