Monthly MagazineApril 19, 2020

MRH MAGAZINE APRIL 2020 – THE FRONTLINE SOLDIERS – #COVID-19

This is a special tribute to all the frontline doctors, nurses and healthcare workers all over the world battling to flatten the COVID-19 curve .

Since the first confirmed case of the virus in Nigeria on February 27th, 2020, those in power as well as the citizens have been on the edge, more so distraught. There’s no cure and there are new cases of the virus at the wake of each day.

Nevertheless , we have some young frontline heroes, Dr. Adefunke Ayeni, Dr Akin Faminu, Dr Etiobhio Samuel Ose, Dr Bukola Ogunyemi and Dr Gbadamosi Adefemi (Foladavid) who are risking it all for us to stay safe as the world fights the pandemic.

It’s in this light the we’ve decided to not only celebrate those working relentlessly towards combating this health crisis but to also get first hand information about the our progress, what to expect and more.

Thus, these brave doctors talk to us about their occupational hazards as regards #COVID-19, the fears/challenges, their opinions on having the federal government seeking interventions from Chinese medical personnel, way forward as regards the cure and more. It’s such an interesting pack.

Enjoy:

============================

Dr Adefunke Ayeni

Adéfunké Ayeni nee Arowolo is a practicing medical doctor and fashion enthusiast based in Muscat, Oman. Her unquenchable passion for fashion led her to start an Instagram page, by.adefunke where she shares fashion tips and tricks as well as fun styling videos which is responsible for the exponential growth of the page.

Ayeni is also the CEO of FKY by Adéfunké which is a Nigerian based fashion brand relaunching October 2020. This focuses on unique ready to wear pieces which is guaranteed to make the wearer standout. This actually more than just a fashion brand as 10% of the profit from every purchase would be going towards the awareness and reduction of women dying during childbirth in Nigeria, known as Maternal Mortality, my NGO Style A Life Foundation.

The beautiful mother of two is happily married.

Enjoy her interview:

From what we gathered, Nigeria’s resident doctors didn’t agree with the federal government on bringing some Chinese medical personnel to the country but they did anyway. If true, tell us about the whole scenario surrounding it.

Answer: To be honest I don’t know the details but from the little I’ve gathered, The idea of Chineses coming is rejected because this the opportunity for the government to work with the resources and the brains we have and actually build the Health sector. it is speculated that they Chinese are allegedly coming to treat their Nationals in Nigeria. They also are demanding the Chinese being tested. Plus we’re weary of the quality of the PPE they are bringing into the country.

There’s no cure for corona virus yet, how are people recovering then?

Answer: WHO estimates that 80% of COVID-19 patients would have mild symptoms of the illness. A person is said to have recovered when the test negative for the virus and this happens when the immune system have been able to fight it usually within 14 days for most mild to moderate cases. That being said “recovery” is different from person to person. Some people have mild symptoms and after a while the disease passes and they feel better while some, usually with underlying medical conditions, are left with lasting lung diseases. This ultimately depend on a number of factors such as age and most importantly the state of the infected persons immune system

Should people be hopeful towards cure and vaccine anytime soon ?

Answer: Yes we should definitely be hopeful. All hands are on deck in trying to discover the most effective cure and vaccine because of the huge burden this has been to the world. So all the best brains are working towards the cure and vaccine. Let’s stay prayerful and hopeful

Are the doctors in the frontline being properly taken care of, financially and otherwise ?

Answer: Yes we are well taken care of with proper PPE ( Personal Protective Equipments). Because of the huge financial burden this has been on the health sector, we aren’t given anything extra at the moment. Just doing our job.

Should there be a massive outbreak, do you think Nigeria is fully prepared ?

Answer: The government of some states especially Lagos State has been very proactive in preparing for the worse case scenario but truth be told, a lot still needs to be done in terms of manpower and most definitely infrastructures/ equipments.
Based on our population of over 200million, definitely more has to be put in place to prepare for the unknown.
A lot of education still needs to be done. A lot of people don’t understand the importance of social distancing. I’ve even heard politicians trying to down play the pandemic.

As a doctor who is on the frontline fighting corona virus, what are your major fears and challenges ?

Answer: Like you would expect for any frontliner, it’s the fear of actually catching the virus. Not just catching it but also infecting my family.

What in your opinion should the Nigerian government put into consideration if we want a vibrant and functional medical system in the country?

Answer: The Nigerian government need to take this whole pandemic as a lesson of “how you lay your bed is how you will lie on it”. They are used to traveling abroad for medical treatment because the government in that “abroad” decided to fix the medical sector to that standard they are going to meet. The need to create that standard here at home and treat doctors much better to prevent doctors from leaving Nigeria and leading to the present brain drain. Check out the developed world, Nigerian doctors are amongst their best brains.

Have you always wanted to be a medical doctor?

Answer: Since the age of 6 years I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. Although it briefly changed in secondary school when I was into sports and would then say I wanted to be a basketball player. Lol. But definitely being a medical doctor has been what I’ve always consistently wanted.

Despite the ongoing lock down in Lagos State due to the corona virus pandemic, actor, Funke Akindele threw a house party for her husband which led to their arrest. What’s your take on that?

Answer: She came out to explain that the people seen at the house party have been the same people that has been with her through the period of social isolation. Which shouldn’t be a problem. But then I can understand why the government decided to take it very serious. She’s a public figure and people are influenced by her actions. They don’t want Nigerians to trivialize the importance of social distancing. See what is happening in Italy, the US and Uk. The result of initially trivializing social distancing. I love her and it’s unfortunate she was used as the scapegoate.

Do you get scared of contacting this virus while discharging your duties?

Answer: To be honest at the beginning of this pandemic, I was terrified. But Having seen several COVID 19 positive patients, I just believe that my covenant with God is bigger than Coronavirus and God got me covered. I just take the necessary precautions and leave the rest to My Maker.

If you were not a medical doctor what else would you have become?

Answer: Actually I’m already living my other passion which is fashion. I’ll definitely go into fashion full time if I wasn’t a medical doctor. But I’m still making work by God’s grace so I can’t complain. I create fashion content, a run a personal styling clinic to help women get their style together. Then I’m starting my Clothing Brand soon by God’s grace. Amongst so many other fashion related things in the pipelines.

How do relax when you are not on duty?

Answer: I like to spend time with my family. I spend a lot of my duty free time creating content. I also Go to the beach to relax and clear my mind , watch YouTube videos, watch series, read books.

What do you want to be remembered for?

Answer: I want to be remembered for that person that inspired other people most especially women to go after their dreams and achieve that the thought was impossible.

You are very stylish, how do you infuse fashion with your medical practice ?

Answer: Being a medical doctor is my profession. Style/Fashion is how I express myself as an individual so it’s pretty much who I am as a person. It’s funny how in the past doctors were considered the most unfashionable set of people. Lol. That has definitely changed in recent times. For me I express myself through my style so it just comes naturally to even as a medical doctor. Even in medical school I would win awards for best dressed cause it’s who I am naturally.

Tell how you combine, being a medical doctor, motherhood and a wife to a pilot?

Answer: I thank God for the wisdom to keep things together. It’s all about having a good support system. I’m blessed to have a husband that is super supportive and fully understands the nature of my profession. We have also been able to create structure to keep things running by the grace of God. It also make sure I create bonding time with family during my days off.

Do you guys have any plans to relocate to continue your medical practice if a good offer outside the shores of Nigeria comes along, will you take the offer or you will stay back as a patriotic Nigeria and still work in the Nigeria health sector?

Answer: I’m already practicing outside Nigeria. For me it wasn’t necessarily a decision to leave but my husband got a job here in Oman and we had to relocate. I was fortunate enough to get a job and continue my medical practice here. But to be honest it was a struggle for me working in Nigeria. I remember my son wheezing and needing nebulization. I went to the paediatrics emergency at a government hospital in Lagos and there was no functioning nebuliser. During the rainy season o, when majority of the kids coming would be wheezing. I left with my son and went across the road to a pharmacy and bought the nebuliser. That day really discouraged me from practicing medicine in Nigeria, unfortunately.

Dr. Gbadamosi Adefemi

Dr. Gbadamosi Adefemi popularly known as Foladavid is a Medical Doctor, Prolific Visual Artist, Nigeria’s Foremost Speedpainter and, Managing Director of International Art company, Royal African Arts (RAA), which is company he jointly owns with the Royal African Corporation of His Imperial Majesty (H.I.M) Oba (Dr) Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi
OJAJA II, Ọọ̀ni of Ifẹ̀ .

Interview:

Most of the earlier concerns about flying in Doctors from China where the virus started included a possible escalation in the number of cases and also that Nigeria did not need to import doctors in order to manage the pandemic because we have enough hands tat are very capable at this, but the government placed the medical team on a mandatory 14-day quarantine before any deployment and also made known that the Chinese medical team is only advisory and technical with no treatment responsibility.
I personally believe we need all the help we can get. The whole world is affected so it doesn’t matter where help comes from as long as the intention is pure and for humanity’s survival. I believe we have to come together in ways we have not before and beat this virus as one.

There’s no cure for corona virus yet, how are people recovering then?

Yes there is no cure or vaccine. Most viral infections are self limiting, resulting in either clearance of the pathogen or death of the host. Depending on the strength of the immune response, the type of immune cells involved and the ability of the virus to evade the body’s defense, infection can either lead to clearance (acute) or persistence (chronic). In the case on the novel corona virus, much is not yet known as it is a new virus but if we are to go with how viruses behave, Individuals that were positive and now test negative have been able to mount a strong immune response in order to clear off the virus. That is why we have noticed that the elderly, immune compromised and individuals with co morbidities have made a major portion of mortality worldwide. We can offer supportive care depending on the case and most cases lead to recovery.

Should people be hopeful towards a cure or vaccine soon?

Having hope is very important. The time frame for a vaccine or cure is not yet known

Are the doctors on the frontline being properly taken care of, financially and otherwise?

I don’t know much about that. I am a bit more concerned about the protective equipment that doctors have at their disposal. I believe that there are two front lines, Doctors in the hospitals where any individual can walk in if he/she doesn’t feel well and we have the doctors working directly with confirmed cases of COVID19. My fear is that the first case of doctors lack the needed protective gear to deal with patients who have not yet been tested for the virus and who are asymptomatic or not forthcoming with proper history needed to classify such patient as a suspected case.

Should there be a massive outbreak, do you think Nigeria is fully prepared?

NO.

As a doctor who is on the frontline fighting corona virus, what are your major fears and challenges?

There is always a fear of contacting the virus. Major challenge is the public adhering to the lockdown and staying at home which is very important

What in your opinion should the Nigerian government put into consideration if we want a vibrant and functional medical system in the country?

The Government should invest in the system and its workers. That for me is very important.

Have you always wanted to become a medical doctor?

YES

Despite the ongoing lock down in lagos due to the pandemic, actress Funke Akindele threw a house party for her husband which led to their arrest. What’s your take on that?

What she did was contrary to the social distancing directives made by the Lagos state Infectious Disease Regulations 2020 for emergency prevention. As a medical practitioner, I also disagree with her actions. We are at trying times globally and everyone needs to be on board with the regulations in order to win this war against COVID19.
10. Do you get scared of contacting this virus while discharging your duties?
YES but this only means I am very careful as I work. I don’t focus on the fear.

If you were not a medical doctor, what would you have become?

PILOT

How do you relax when you are not on duty?

I hardly have time to relax because I also have my career as a professional artist. I guess I relax when I draw or paint.

What do you want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered as an advocate for Passion, Talent and Education. I stand for these three things and I strongly believe we can achieve whatever we set our minds to do. You don’t have to leave school to pursue your talent. You can successfully have 2 careers.

How do you infuse your passion as an artist with your medical time as both are equally demanding?

Effective time-management and proper planning. Every single day of my life has a plan I write for it every morning sometimes at night before I sleep. This really helps.
15. How have you been able to merge your art and your practice as a medical doctor?
I have been able to merge my work as a medical doctor with my art. I use my art to create awareness about diseases and conditions we face as humans. I educate the public on these conditions and use my art as a tool for this. I also run a skin campaign which was implemented to inspire women all over the world to love themselves for themselves and to embrace their flaws and not strive for what the world sees as perfection.

As an artist, how have you also helped in this battle against COVID19

As an artist, I have decided to join the battle against COVID19 in the biggest way possible.
I organized an international & digital art event to fight COVID-19 which is called COVEND. The purpose of this operation is to raise funds to help the health workers on the front line and everyone who suffers the consequences of this sanitary WAR.
I created an e-shop www.royalafricanarts.com/covend where all African Creatives can sell prints of their artworks made with the theme “solidarity” and 50% of all sales will go to funds needed to battle COVID19
African Creatives will be telling their stories of solidarity through their artworks and creations as a means to give hope and remind humanity to remain one during and after this pandemic. It is set to be the largest interactive online Exhibition in Africa ever curated!

When are you walking down the aisle?

I currently have no idea when. God alone knows.

I don’t think staying back is the patriotic thing to do. As medical professionals, we are on a lifelong learning course and currently most of the advances and breakthrough processes in health care are clearly not in this country yet. The best thing will be to pursue such knowledge, master it and then help one’s country with such advancement. Also we all know the higher standard of living of medical doctors in most other countries and this is vital for any young doctor who decides to take on this noble profession. Every young doctor will most likely leave if a good offer arises, even the older ones leave also.

Dr Bukola Ogunyemi –

Ogunyemi Rebecca Oluwabukola
Studied at Ternopil State Medical University, Ukraine.

She’s a Medical Doctor by profession who turned her passion for fashion into a side hustle. She’s a fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger, brand influencer and model.

Interview:

I actually saw it in the news and it’s true.
Do we need assistance? Yes! Have we maximised the Human Resources we have in recent times- No!

Personally, I do not think it was the best decision. It’s actually an embarrassment for Nigerian Doctors and health workers who are fighting the pandemic under deplorable working conditions. This tells a lot about our health care system.

There’s no cute for Coronavirus yet how are people recovering then?

Once an individual is exposed to the virus, the body starts providing proteins called Antibodies to fight the infection. These antibodies start to successfully contain the virus and keep it from replicating in the body. The symptoms usually begin to lessen and the individual gets better. Once everything goes well, the immune system will completely destroy all the virus in the individuals system. Even after the symptoms disappear, there may be small amount of the virus in the individuals system and that’s why it’s important to self isolate based on your contact and your travel history in the presence or absence of symptoms.

Should people be hopeful towards cure & vaccine already?

Based on on-going research, there is no vaccine at the moment. The disease is new and it might take some time or even years for a vaccine to be developed. Staying at home for now, should be considered the major way to flatten the curve.

Are Doctors in the frontline being properly taken care of, financially and other wise?

Truth be told, Nigerian doctors are not properly taken care of. COVID-19 doesn’t make any difference. As a matter of fact, our hazard allowance as doctors in Nigeria is N5,000 and recently it was in the news that our Minister of health is not aware doctors are being paid hazard allowance for the job we are doing in tackling the Corona virus pandemic. He also went ahead to say that whether during a pandemic or not, handling emergencies is a standard job we health workers do everyday and that we are screening for temperature. It’s terrible.

Should there be a massive outbreak, do you think Nigeria is fully prepared.

There’s already a massive outbreak. We are realising it with more testing. It’s scary. I don’t think Nigeria is fully prepared for this if it gets worse. Our healthcare system is not the best at all. Even countries with way better health care systems are not able to contain the virus. It’s challenging for them despite all the technology, qualified staff & equipments they have.

As a doctor who is in the frontline fighting the corona virus, what are your fears and challenges?

The challenges are that proper personal protective equipments are not available. I’m talking about gowns, gloves masks, sanitizers, etc.
My greatest fear would be getting infected with the virus because I also have a family & wouldn’t want them to be at risk.

What in your opinion should the Nigerian government put into consideration of we want a vibrant and functional medical system in the country?

The Nigerian government has a long way to go. In my opinion, the government needs to put into consideration the following:

Improve personnel development in health care, Improve funding, Improve collection and monitoring of health data, provide necessary health care infrastructure , drugs and equipments.
Encourage and fund medical research.

Have you always wanted to be a Medical Doctor ?

Yes! It’s been a childhood dream & I’m so grateful to God for letting it come to pass.

Despite the ongoing lockdown in Lagos State due to the corona virus pandemic, actor Funke Akindele threw a house party for her husband which led to their arrest. What’s your take on that?

So recently, The Lagos State government issued the “Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020 which was effective from 27 March 2020. And really, no one is above the law. The reason for lockdown is to reduce the spread of this virus and one of the regulations is to impose restrictions on the number of persons that may be present in a place.
Also, she’s a public figure and did an advertisement for NCDC on COVID19 so she’s expected to lead by example. If the case wasn’t handled by the state government the way it was, most people would have felt it was normal to actually have parties during this lockdown.

Do you get scared of contacting this virus while discharging your duties?

I’m human so yes I do get scared. But I’m still grateful for the opportunity to care for people at this time.

If you were not a medical doctor what else would I have become?

A Medical Doctor Lol! Growing up, I’ve alwys had the desire and passion to solve people’s problems and help in the little way I can. One of the reasons I decided to study Medicine was because I felt it would be a great opportunity to care for people when they are at their most vulnerable. Medicine also suits my tender & soft spoken personality.

How do you relax when you are off duty?

I sleep, watch Korean series and do a lot of skin care.

What do you want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered for being a kind, compassionate person and remembered for helping others. Someone who made a positive impact in the world.

How do you infuse fashion and being a medical doctor?

Medical Doctors are also allowed to be fashionable. My love for fashion doesn’t distract from the medical aspect of my life. If anything, I think they go hand in hand; my love to cater for sick people and restore them back to health and the flair for making any outfit I adorn look even better.

And when are you walking up the aisle?

When the time is right oh! God’s time is the best.

Do you have any plans to relocate to continue your medical practice if a good offer outside the shores of Nigeria comes along, will you take the offer or you will stay back as a patriotic Nigeria and still work in the Nigeria health sector?

Of course! Relocation is a must. And I think most young Nigerian doctors can relate. It’s not really about the offer it’s more of being in a system that works, standard of living, the opportunities available and how medical practitioners are treated. Nigeria doesnt encourage us at all. They don’t even care about us.
Although, I’ll like to have businesses in Nigeria and who knows maybe I might move back later in the future.

Dr Etiobhio Samuel Ose

Dr Etiobhio Samuel Ose (MBBS, Benin) is a

Medical Officer at The Comforters place.

He’s in the In vitro Fertilization, Obstetrics and Gynaecology field and a General practitioner. Samuel is also a Gender Based Violence prevention advocate and CEO, Gynaefy Inc.

As an Infectious disease prevention enthusiast, he has a World Health Organization certification on “Infection Prevention and Control of the novel Corona virus (COVID-19) as part of the Biodata. To mention but a few.

Interview:

The NMA and Association of Resident doctors feel its not only insensitive to the hard work the health care workers here are putting in despite lack of adequate Personal Protective Equipments, its also a waste of resources bringing foreign doctors to the shores of Nigeria without consulting the medical body. Right now, medical workforce isn’t the the main issue, what’s the main issue is the PPEs, ventilators, adequate isolation centres we don’t have in sufficient amount. But they are here, and we can’t cry more than the bereaved. We hope they would be able to assist us in implementing all the mitigation measures they did in China!

There’s no cure for corona virus yet, how are people recovering then?

80% of people who get the SARS-COV2 have mild symptoms and don’t require hospital admission. 25% of the population have gotten it but are not symptomatic.
Most times treatment is based on symptoms. People recover in most conditions where there is no underlying risk factors like Lung diseases, heart diseases, Diabetes Melitus or age above 65. Also, reinfection is prevented as infected people get antibodies against this viral infection.

Should people be hopeful towards cure and vaccine anytime soon ?

Yes, people should be hopeful. Vaccines are still being tried to be developed which can take months to year.
Antibody testing (Convalescent serum) is another measure that can help profer immunity to the population as antibody serum from someone who has been infected can be used to treat someone who’s infected.

Are the doctors in the frontline being properly taken care of, financially and otherwise ?

A few states are trying, both most lack the basic PPE. Every medical doctor working this period is on the front line. Financially, its extremely poor. They are paid little or nothing as hazard allowance.

Should there be a massive outbreak, do you think Nigeria is fully prepared ?

I must commend the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health for their proactive steps to curtail this virus. But if there should be a massive outbreak, Nigeria isn’t prepared just exactly. Few states can boast of adequate Isolation centres and adequate medical equipments to tackle such situation.

As a doctor who is on the frontline fighting corona virus, what are your major fears and challenges ?

I work in a private hospital, and as such the fears may not be as much as those in general Hospital. I have worked in the Irrua Lassa fever institute, so I basically have been familiar with a similar situation. I have taken measures by canceling elective surgeries, clinic visits. I fear though, being infected and not being symptomatic.

What in your opinion should the Nigerian government put into consideration if we want a vibrant and functional medical system in the country?

They should start from the grassroot. Develop our Primary Health Care systems. Prioritize development of medical facilities in budgeting. Building World class health facilities and proper maintenance. Robust financial involvements for health care workers and most importantly not politicizing health care leadership positions.

Have you always wanted to be medical doctor?

Yes

Despite the ongoing lock down in Lagos State due to the corona virus pandemic, actor, Funke Akindele threw a house party for her husband which led to their arrest. What’s your take on that?

It was totally wrong. No one is above the law. I love her as a person, really got pained seeing her going through the ordeal, but the govt was right to take such punitive measures. I pray the Govt also show suc enthusiasm in all aspects of the state’s welfare.

Do you get scared of contacting this virus while discharging your duties?

Sometimes, crosses our minds.

If you were not a medical doctor what else would you have become?

Electrical Engineer

How do relax when you are not on duty?

Working on my PET project on Gender Based Violence, Fine and Applied Art, Poetry,

What do you want to be remembered for

My legacies, the way and manner I dispense care to patients and my self belief.

What you do guy infuse arts/ photography and being a medical doctor ?

I’ve always been a sucker for fine arts. It helps me develop my imaginative mindset which in turn helps my medical career.

When are you walking up the aisle ?

Post Coronial Period. 2020!

l am a Tony Elumelu Foundation Alumnus/2016. l believe that there is a lot hope for an improvement in our health sector. I’ve always been a fan of developing Nigeria. I really hope the health sector changes after this pandemic. If it doesn’t, there is no hope for Nigeria. I won’t move abroad on a permanent basis. I can go for a mission work, study and still come back to Nigeria. I believe in a better Nigeria, honestly.

Dr. Akin Faminu

Dr. Akin Faminu is a graduate of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.

He was a student in the University of first choice and the nation’s pridefrom 2011 to 2018, where he finished with the best final year result in 2018 after bagging a BDS degree.

He has since been practicing in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (Luth), Idi Araba, Lagos.
Faminu is also a household name in the Nigerian Fashion Industry. He has over the years been able to grow a brand that is a major force in the Nigerian Fashion Space in the niches of Content Creation and Digital Influencing among others.

Interview:

1. From what we gathered, Nigeria’s resident doctors didn’t agree with the federal government on bringing some Chinese medical personnel to the country but they did anyway. If true, tell us about the whole scenario surrounding it.

ANSWER – Yes, that’s correct. Summarily speaking, we believe we have enough manpower to handle the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, at the stage that it is now. As at the time these Chinese medical personnel were brought in, we had less than 300 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The Stand of the Resident doctor’s and the NMA as a whole is simple, what we need to be provided are sufficient Personal Protective Equipment to battle the health crises, donations from other countries for this purpose are welcome, however, foreign man power is not needed at this time. The Nigerian doctors are more than capable, if every necessary medical equipment is made available.

There’s no cure for corona virus yet, how are people recovering then?

ANSWER – The COVID-19 virus is a novel virus, meaning that it’s a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans, hence, there is no cure for it yet.
However, when the body is infected, the immune system plays the major role is fighting off the virus.
This is why the infection has a higher mortality rate in individuals that are immunocompromised ( have a low immunity ).
The current management is to treat the symptoms and to carry out supportive care.

Should people be hopeful towards cure and vaccine anytime soon ?

ANSWER – To the best of my knowledge, and from the most reliable sources worldwide, as of April 6, more than 200 clinical trials of COVID-19 treatments or vaccines are ongoing, however, there is no conclusive information about a cure or a vaccine being available yet.

It may take some time before we can get a cure that is approved.

This means that the importance of prevention cannot be over emphasized.

Are the doctors in the frontline being properly taken care of, financially and otherwise ?

ANSWER – Every Doctor and health care worker in general comes into contact with patients more often than the general public. This means that we are at a much higher risk, hence on the front line.

Our welfare can be a lot better, and this ranges from the provision of adequate personal protective equipment to standard hazard allowances and adequate remuneration.

As doctors, it’s our job to be at the frontline at a time like this, and we are determined to fight this pandemic, but it is also of utmost importance that we can trust that we will be well protected because of the risks involved.

Should there be a massive outbreak, do you think Nigeria is fully prepared?

ANSWER – No country is really fully prepared for a massive outbreak. The First World Countries are having serious challenges containing the outbreak.

The USA for example, despite the commendable state of their health sector and all their efforts at containing the outbreak, they have still recorded a large number of casualties.

It is no news that the Nigerian health sector is nowhere near that of the USA, which is why we do not hope for a massive outbreak because it will be certainly overwhelming for our health sector.

As a doctor who is on the frontline fighting corona virus, what are your major fears and challenges ?

ASWER – My major fear is the fact that a lot of us Nigerians do not fully understand that this pandemic can be likened to a ticking time bomb.

Despite the lockdown, we still have a lot of people not being compliant to the protective guidelines set down by the NCDC.

It has to be a team work, leaving different responsibilities lying on the shoulders of health workers, the citizens and the government alike.

The government must take more responsibility to cater for the citizens whose movement has been restricted because many cannot fend for themselves in a lockdown, and the citizens must also be responsible by obeying all the set guidelines.

What in your opinion should the Nigerian government put into consideration if we want a vibrant and functional medical system in the country?

ANSWER – A lot of our medical facilities in the country are not up to worldwide standard at all, in many cases, they are extremely far from it.

This is mostly due to neglect of the health sector. Year in, Year out, we have complains of doctors working overtime with delayed or no payment, little or no funds are being dedicated to maintaining our facilities and making state of the art medical equipments available.

The government has to put all of this into consideration. Nigerian is fast losing a lot of the medical manpower that we like to boast about, because of the numerous unnecessary challenges being faced, for this to stop, things have to improve.

Have you always wanted to be doctor?

From a young age, my dream has always been to become a doctor. As I grew older, through secondary school, I tried to explore the possibilities of other options but only ended up reaffirming my dream of wanting to be a doctor.

Despite the ongoing lock down in Lagos State due to the corona virus pandemic, actor, Funke Akindele threw a house party for her husband which led to their arrest. What’s your take on that?

ANSWER – It’s important to note that the lockdown, though uncomfortable, has been very necessary for our own good as a country, and like I said earlier, it’s important for the citizens to take responsibility and follow the guidelines as much as possible.

The aforementioned is a public figure, and has a lot of people looking up to her, and is therefore in a very good position to motivate her audience to also keep to these guidelines.

Therefore, anything short of this is not acceptable.

Do you get scared of contacting this virus while discharging your duties?

ANSWER – Fear is an emotion, and even doctors are human beings and can therefore be scared.

There are lots of risk involved in the job, and there is more than enough data of many health workers in the world who have paid the ultimate price while battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, there is also the science involved, and this is where availability of protective equipment adequate enough to prevent infection is very important.

A soldier must not be sent to the battlefield without the needed weapons to fight.

If you were not a doctor what else would you have become?

ANSWER – Haha, I currently have two careers, one in the medical field, the other in the fashion industry.
If I wasn’t a doctor, I’d be fully invested in my other career and vice versa.

How do relax when you are not on duty?

ANSWER – Productivity is very important to me. I’m used to working with very limited time, so ideally I like to relax from being a Doctor by doing something that’s also productive.

I use that time for my fashion brand, creating looks, photo shoots for content, creative direction and so on.

I also like to watch football a lot, hang out with my friends and good food at a fancy restaurant is always welcome.

What do you want to be remembered for

ANSWER – One word, and that is IMPACT! I want to be able to make the kind of positive impact that will outlive me.

To be a source of inspiration to many, and to instill in young people that it’s very possible to chase all of your dreams and be successful at each one of them.

And when are you walking up the aisle ?

Not too soon, but soon! Lol.

You are stylish, how do you infuse fashion and also being a medical doctor knowing fully well that most doctors are not fashionable?

ANSWER – It has a lot to do with time management, spontaneity and prioritizing because for me, it’s more than just dressing nice and looking good, it’s a brand.

Fashion, happens to be my escape from the medical world, and it was birthed from my love for art in general. It happened to be the most practical way for me to still express that love.

I created my fashion brand in my second year in medical school, in the jurisdiction of content creation and I’ve been able to find the perfect balance that works for me.

And you’d find that there are a lot more doctors that are more fashionable these days, it doesn’t hurt to look good y’know?

Answer-For me, apart from practicing in the Nigerian health sector, I also have a brand in the Nigerian Fashion industry, so the chances of staying are a lot higher.

I strongly believe that if the health sector and standard of living of doctors rightly improves, we may even have Nigerian doctors practicing abroad come back, but till then, relocating will always be an option.