Dabiri-Erewa Hails Diaspora Group for Giving Back to Nigeria
By Shola Akingboye, 2022
Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has commended the Mabo Foundation/ Nigerian American Public Affairs Committee (NAPAC) USA for giving back to the country through their humanitarian gesture.
From left Dr. Toyin Opesanmi, member, Nigerian-American Public Affairs Committee NAPAC USA/MABO FOUNDATION USA;
Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NIDCOM; Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, CMAC, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH and
Dr. Eniola Ogunmefun, member, NAPAC. USA/MABO FOUNDATION USA during a visit to LUTH Cancer centre in Lagos with a visiting team of Nigerian Doctors from the Diaspora on Tuesday,
Dabiri-Erewa stated this in Lagos on Monday after a medical facility tour with NAPAC group in conjunction with the Oncology Unit of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
The group was led by its Founder, NAPAC and Mabo Foundation, Dr Toyin Opesanmi and Dr Eniola Ogunmefun.
According to a statement signed by
Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director, Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, the NIDCOM Chairman acknowledged the efforts of the group and welcomed the initiatives of the Diaspora especially in the area of medical mission.
It noted that the Chairman, who was excited about the exploits of Nigerians across the globe said harnessing their potential would be a major catalyst for national development and, in this instance, arrest medical tourism in the country.
Earlier, the Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, LUTH, Prof. W. L. Adeyemo, representing the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Chris Bode, welcomed the group and informed them of the upgrade of the health infrastructures at the Hospital Complex and the activities of the personnel as well.
Both Messrs Opeyemi and Ogunmefun expressed their willingness to collaborate with the Cancer Unit of LUTH on the treatment of indigent patients; donation of modern equipment to ease the treatment of patients and further training of Doctors on the treatment of cancer.
They said the major aim of the initiative was to give back to the country and help humanity in the area of the medical field.
Others in attendance at the occasion include Dr Yewande Oshodi (Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee), Dr Ayodeji Oluwole ( Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee Clinical Services), Dr Habeeb Mohammed Yakubu ( HOD radiotherapy, LUTH Lead Oncology, NSIA Cancer Centre and Dr Adeseye Akinsete (Paediatric Haematology/Oncology LUTH).
Others were Mr Adegoke Kehinde (Deputy Director of Clinical pathology laboratory services and Collaborative researcher with NAPAC/Mabo Foundation, Mrs Temitope Vanlary(Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist and a collaborative Researcher with NAPAC/Mabo Foundation), Dr Adewunmi Alabi (Consultant Clinical and Radiation Oncologist NSIA LUTH cancer centre and Dr Tomi Kogo (Clinical Services Manager NSIA LUTH cancer
centre).
The ManagemenPaediatrics Dabiri-Erewa and the team around the hospital facilities which include the Dialysis Department, the Paediatrics Department, the NSIA LUTH Cancer Center and the Hospital Labour room Facilities.
One of the major discoveries was the availability of the State of the Art equipment at the Oncology Unit and a very neat environment at all the units visited.
This development has led to Reversed Medical Tourism as the Cancer Unit now receives more patients from the US, the UK and other countries because the treatment cost is cheaper; the availability of modern equipment and the proximity to Family Support for patients.
More patients now prefer to treat the ailment locally, thus stemming the tide of Medical Tourism. The statement reads.