DABIRI-EREWA HAILS DIASPORA GROUP FOR GIVING BACK TO THE COUNTRY
Oru Leonard
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.
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).
According a press release signed by Abdur-Rahman BalogunD Media, Public Relations and Protocols, the group was led by its Founder, NAPAC and Mabo Foundation, Dr. Toyin
Opesanmi and Dr. Eniola Ogunmefun.
The NiDCOM Chairman acknowledged the efforts of the group and welcomed
the initiatives of the Diaspora especially in the area of medical
mission.
The Chairman, who was excited about the exploits of Nigerians across
the globe, said harnessing their potentials 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 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 the humanity in the area of 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 Ematology/Oncology LUTH).
Others were Mr. Adegoke kehinde (Deputy Director 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
center) and Dr Tomi Kogo (Clinical Services Manager NSIA LUTH cancer
center).
The Management took Dr Dabiri-Erewa and the team round the hospital
facilities which include the Dialysis Department, the Pediatric
Department, the NSIA LUTH Cancer Center and the Hospital Labour room
Facilities.
One of the major discovery was the availability of the State of the Art
equipment at the Oncology Unit and 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 US, UK and other countries because the
treatment cost is cheaper; availability of modern equipment and proximity to Family Support for patients.
More patients now prefer to treat the ailment locally, thus stemming
the tide of Medical Tourism.
