By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
TONGUES are wagging across the globe following the sacking and deportation of a Nigerian healthcare worker in the United Kingdom for reportedly praying for an elderly dying patient.
In a post shared on ‘X,’ popular Nigerian doctor @drolufunmilayo, who didn’t disclose the full identity of the culprit, described as unethical in the UK for nurses to bring supposed religion into their duties.
He said that although it was not customary for nurses to pray for patients, it was expected of them to ask a cleric to perform any religious service on them, even if the patient requested that they do so.
Olufunmilayo said he narrated the incident to warn Nigerian doctors moving to the UK not to pray for patients.
“I just read the sad story of a Nigerian who came to uk employed by an agency to work as a carer for elderly people.
“She was assigned to care for an elderly patient who was dying and she was reported for “praying for the client to get better”.
“Yeah. She got sacked and deported. For those expressing shock at the sack and deportation, let me explain further.
“As a health worker/carer in uk, it is unethical to involve religion or impose your religious views on patients/clients.
“It’s seen as abuse of trust and misuse of your position. You are expected to simply do your job and focus on your job.
“Even if the patient/client were to bring up a religious conversation, you should refer them to speak with a pastor, chaplain, Imam, cleric or any religious figure.
“As a health worker; you should not be engaging in religious activities with a patient/client.
“If you get reported to the appropriate authorities, you can lose your job. Many times, this also means you lose your sponsorship and visa to remain in the country.
“Remember your visa to stay in the country as a worker is tied to your employment. If you lose your employment- you will lose your stay in the country.
“Except of course you find another job and employer- but in these kind of circumstances surrounding the sack- you may struggle to find another employer.
“This is why I’m using this avenue to help create some awareness regarding this situation- especially for any Nigeria attempting to come to uk or already in uk as a health worker or carer.
“Please leave your religion out of your professional work space.
They will sack you here,” she warned in her post.
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