By Amaka Obiefuna

Dr. Oritsetimeyin Best Orighose is a thoroughbred and technical health professional with 8 years of experience in medical practice, with passion for reaching out to rural dwellers, offering free medical services and counseling to hundreds of people who are medically excluded in Nigeria in collaboration with International Association For Mission (I.A.M). In this interview, he told the Newscorner Media why he left surgery to help the poorest in the hinterlands, President Tinubu one year in office, the Japa syndrome, among other matters

Excerpt

First, tell us about International Association of Mission

The purpose of a medical mission is to provide healthcare services and support to underserved communities in developing countries and regions affected by disasters. Medical mission trips are typically organized by healthcare professionals, medical schools, and non-profit organizations.

The primary goal of a medical mission trip is to improve access to healthcare services for people who do not have regular access to medical care. This can include providing medical treatment and education on disease prevention and health promotion. Medical mission trips can also help to address broader issues related to poverty and social inequality by providing basic healthcare services to those who would otherwise be unable to access them. We are poised to reaching out to the people in the rural on world mission outreach.

As the Medical Outreach Mission Director for the Mission in Nigeria, tell us about your mission in Nigeria

Basically my target with the organisation is giving people in the rural area free medications and teaching them on preventive health medicine

Why are you passionate about health counseling?

Because I have passion for the poor, but most especially those who cannot afford the bill for their medications

As a medical missionary, are your target beneficiaries only Christians?

No. Most “mission trips” are really international service-learning opportunities, in a faith-based context. Which means they are not so much about “making converts” through proselytization, but giving witness to the gospel through evangelization and service to those in need.

It gives good exposure to a different reality than that of your home country or area, provides some volunteer help where needed, but also serves as a formation and education opportunity, and a kind of pilgrimage or retreat. It can opens horizons to new perspectives.

Often, there is as much or more benefit to the person going than to the people ‘served’ on the mission trip – not that the latter should be discounted.

Why did you paused practicing Surgery?

I just paused it, not that I abandon it. I’m still active, I consult for different hospitals. But ultimately, out of empathy, patriotism and passion for the poor, and most especially those who cannot afford the bill for their medication, I chose to do more of mission work- serving the unserved, the medically excluded persons in the rural areas. You see, practicing medicine and surgery would expose me only to the high and mighty, but then I won’t be satisfied in life, I rather go for what satisfy my Creator and my conscience. It’s a divine assignment to help the poor – medically. So I didn’t abandon medicine and surgery at all.

As you embark on rural medical outreach, what did did discover (gap)? And what is ur call on the government?

I discovered that majority of the people in the rural area are neglected due to lack of social amenities and lack of portable water supply and exposure to environmental hazards.

Where have you touched lives so far?

I have organized and managed medical teams and reached out to rural dwellers in Adamawa, Nasarawa, Taraba, Yobe, Jigawa, Kogi states, and rural areas in FCT and Niger republic. This includes giving care to the sick, paralyzed and deformed patients. We do this through indepth research and survey to discover communities in needs. But ultimately health counseling and consultation is my daily lifestyle and I derived fulfillment therefrom.

What area of our national life/health do you think the federal and state should pay attention to?

Public health is one of the greatest things in which a government can invest. Early prevention, which is relatively inexpensive, can prevent dire and expensive health care problems later in life.the role of the government in protecting the public’s health, and each entity makes reference to this in their constitutions as part of a “general welfare” clause. Public health promotes the welfare of the entire population, ensures its security and protects it from the spread of infectious disease and environmental hazards, and helps to ensure access to safe and quality care to benefit the population.

Governmental responsibilities for public health extend beyond voluntary activities and services to include additional authorities such as quarantine, mandatory immunization laws, and regulatory authorities. The state’s partnership functions by encouraging residents to do things that benefit their health (e.g., physical activity) or create conditions to promote good health, and requiring certain actions (e.g., food safety).

In summary, assurance of adequate local public health infrastructure

Preparation and response to emergency Increased efficiency and effectiveness

Accreditation of rural health standards.

You have great interest to offer free vaccinations, preventive medicine, medical counseling, among others, what is your gain/profit having spent huge money and other resources to acquire medical education? In other ways, why not go into full medicine and surgery and make money like others?

My passion empathy for the less privileged triggered me to take upon myself this act of service most especially people in the rural area..and also because. The opportunities are so broad because the needs are so great, most especially people in rural areas perhaps can be described as the forgotten ones

That’s one reasons I decided to go into medical missions , because the needs for less privileged are so important. I get to be a part of something bigger than myself while fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ found in Matthew 28:18-20. This gives me a great reason to explore medical missions outreach and discover ways to touch the lives of individuals as i minister to their deepest needs..I have also gained a lot of experience s in the field. I have a gain a better understanding about the state of global health care,I have experience other cultures,it has also sharpen the focus of my calling,I have also build relationships ,I have gotten the experience of partnering with other organisations..and to the glory of God my life has been transformed from glory to glory.

How is the ‘Japa’ syndrome affecting the healthcare system in particular?

First, the “Japa” syndrome, a colloquial term referring to the mass exodus of Nigerian professionals, including doctors, to other countries, has significant implications for the healthcare sector in Nigeria. Which include:

Brain drain: The departure of skilled healthcare professionals depletes the workforce, compromising the quality of healthcare services in Nigeria.

Shortage of medical personnel: With many doctors leaving, the patient-to-doctor ratio worsens, making it challenging to provide adequate care.

Strain on remaining healthcare workers: The departure of colleagues leads to increased workload and stress for those remaining, potentially affecting their well-being and job satisfaction.

Impact on healthcare delivery: The loss of experienced professionals can compromise the effectiveness of healthcare services, particularly in specialized areas like surgery, cardiology, and oncology.

Healthcare system collapse: If the exodus continues, it may lead to a collapse of the healthcare system, making it difficult for Nigeria to achieve its health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The “Japa” syndrome in the health sector highlights the need for Nigeria to address the push factors driving professionals out, such as inadequate compensation, poor working conditions, and limited opportunities for career advancement.

Your assessment of the president’s one year performance towards the health sector?

The Tinubu administration’s performance in the health sector during its first year in office has been marked by both challenges and efforts to address them.

Key challenges are: Severe brain drain, high costs of medicines and medical devices, inadequacies in health insurance, exit of major pharmaceutical firms, fluctuating health budgets.

While some Key efforts in this regard are: Increased recruitment of health workers, especially nurses, Promotion of local pharmaceutical production, Measures to mitigate brain drain, such as a managed migration policy, increased health budget from N1.16 trillion in 2023 to N1.33 trillion in 2024 expansion of the National Health insurance scheme, improved healthcare infrastructure and equipment, partnerships for funding and technical support.