Knowing that many challenges exist in the healthcare sectors in African countriessuch as Nigeria, Dr. Akeem has moved back to Nigeriawith the aim ofgiving back for the betterment of our Nigerian Healthcare system- in terms of knowledge, experience and of course expertise. Please enjoy the excerpts from the interview with a reporter below;
What
could be wrong with the Nigeria Healthcare System?
Ans:
A number of factors;
1. There is very little consciousness on the part of the populace of the importance of preventive health; most Nigerians go about their daily routines hoping they never break down, but just like the engine of a vehicle needs to be serviced regularly, the human body requires periodic checks. A lot of people who suffer illnesses and are rushed to the hospital do so because they ignored the warning signs until the illness reached an advanced stage.
2.
In advanced countries, health care is treated as a fundamental right of every
citizen; the government is therefore responsible for providing quality health
care for its people. Back here, the situation is rather dismal; the health
policies are well crafted but lack effective implementation.
3.
The macroeconomic reality of most Nigerians leads to the perception that
quality health care is not readily accessible to all; this perception
unfortunately, has led to apathy. As tax paying citizens, we have a right to
demand quality health care of those we put in power.
Q:
In Which aspect of medicine do you specialise?
Ans:
I am a family practice physician, responsible for the wellbeing of patients of
all ages. You see, family practice doctors, as primary care physicians, are
often the first person whom a patient sees when seeking healthcare services.
They examine and treat patients with a wide range of conditions and refer those
with serious ailments to a specialist or appropriate facility.
My
typical job duties include taking patient histories, performing or requesting
diagnostic tests, making diagnoses, prescribing treatment, administering
vaccinations and performing follow-up examinations, as well as educating
patients in disease prevention and health maintenance. Additional duties
include preparing medical records, clinical reports and correspondences. As a
family practice doctor, I also supervise allied health professionals, such
as nurses, physician assistants and medical assistants.
Q:
What plans do you have in place to address the current health situation?
Ans:
My team and I have established a well-equipped multipurpose health facility;
Kleinburg Medical Centre. It’s an outpatient medical centre. Our goal is to
provide world class efficient healthcare services in the community. We
provide family health services, urgent care, health maintenance, specialist
services, a well-stocked pharmacy, laboratory services, ultrasound, and MedSpa,
a relatively new concept in Medicine.
Q:
What will you do differently?
Ans:
For a long time now, quality health care has not been readily accessible to
many; we plan to change that. Again, anyone who comes into our facility will
get help because we are set up in such a manner that provides in house
specialists such as dentists, gynaecologists, ultrasonographers, pharmacists and
so on. We will, to a large extent, replicate western health care in Nigeria
with a view to revolutionising the industry as a whole.
Brief Background
Dr.
Akeem was born in Lagos Nigeria. He studied at Day by Day nursery and primary
school &AdisaBashua Surulere, Lagos. Secondary Education at Birch Freeman,
Lagos and Federal Govt College Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria. Class of
1989. He proceeded to Truman College and Chicago State University, USA-
graduating with a BSc. in Biology/Pre-med in 1995, Doctor of Medicine MD
2000 at University of Illinois, Rockford, Illinois, USA and subsequently, University
of Toronto, Toronto, Canada for a Post graduate Medicine, Family Practice, 2007.
He did a Private practice family practice medicine 2008-2014, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Later on became a Franchisee Owner from 2012-2014 at Appletree Medical Center, Canada and Toronto Medical Laser Clinic, Canada.
He
is a member of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), Ontario Medical
Association (OMA), Canadian Association of Nigerian Physician and Dentist
(CANPAD) and Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)
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