After my brother-in-law’s tragic death, I went to see a consultant cardiologist to review my past results and check how I am faring. The result of that visit will be the subject of another discussion. Suffice it to say that a further lifestyle change was recommended and I am fully complying with the recommended diet change. A story for another day.
As I was with the Doctor, he told me he just came back from Oraifite in Anambra State. I took interest immediately as that is my mother’s village. He said he went to see his patients at a hospital built by Sir Emeka Okwuosa, the oil service magnate and silent philanthropist from Oraifite. The hospital, he said, is one of the best equipped in Nigeria and he goes to see patients there regularly.
In December, doctors from across the world will be on a mission to the Dame Okwuosa Memorial Hospital to conduct open heart and valve replacement surgeries. I marvelled at how Sir Okwuosa’s decision to give back to the community is impacting real people in need of such service. I will discuss that another day.
I then asked him, how did you get to Oraifite, considering the spate of kidnapping and violence around the southern part of Anambra? His answer sent chills down my spine. He said ” I go to the East twice a month to teach students at UNEC and ABSU medical schools. I drive with my driver from Enugu to Abia and from Abia through Owerri, Ihiala to Oraifite. I know the risks and have promised my driver that if they kidnap us I will beg them to release you and keep me.”
He looked at me with a smile on his face and solemnly declared ” I will not abandon my patients in the East for my safety, if they kill me so be it, at least I died in the east and the cost of taking me to my village will be reduced.” I looked at him to see if he was joking. He looked dead serious.
“I am committed to my patients, I can’t abandon them. The good Doctors have all left the East and I understand their situation. I may be better off with my practice in Abuja and can move abroad where I trained, but I can’t abandon my patients and those who need me in the East…..I can’t” he said with an ease that came from deep conviction. He had no airs. He did not sound like an ideologue pushing an agenda.
He sounded like a human being with consideration for the other person. The hallmark of civilisation. I was touched. I couldn’t get myself to stand up from the chair. My mind drifted to how many people the mindless violence across the country has scared from service to humanity. I wondered how we can rebuild our humanity to the level where consideration for others drove our choices.
As I left his hospital, I thought to myself, how can we build a generation of people such as this man who without fanfare, without media spotlight or applause continue to offer service to those who are sorely in need of help. How?
Beyond talk, let’s commit to something bigger than us.
Osita Chidoka
November 2022