Medicine, my passion, calling- Dr. Nwana

Dr. Chito Nwana, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, is the Medical Director of Tabitha Medical Centre, Abuja. She is also the Chairperson, Guild of Medical Directors and the Executive Director of Francis & Felicia Umenyi Foundation. In this chat with ENE OSANG, she discusses her passion for the medical profession and her loves community service and women health issues.

What inspired you to become a medical doctor?
I have always wanted to study medicine from a very young age. I had my first degree in psychology in Canada. I went on to study medicine at the American University of Caribbean, St. Maarten. I completed my residency in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at University of Connecticut, USA.

I truly love what I do and believe that I was called to this profession. I continue to practice in the USA and Nigeria.

Many doctors in the country desire to practice abroad, what informed your decision to return home?
I have always known deep down in my heart that I will return to Nigeria someday to practice. Reproductive Health in Nigeria is a major concern with regards to maternal morbidity and mortality. So, I knew that I had a lot to offer my country with my training.

I had parents that were inspirational and always encouraged us to serve to our community. They have passed away but their words are forever in my mind. I am passionate about women’s health issues and there is still a lot of work to be done hence my return. This is one of the main reasons I chose Obstetrics and Gynaecology as a specialty.

How have the women benefited from your wealth of knowledge and experience since you returned?
I run a hospital the Tabitha Medical Centre and we deliver international standard care. We also organise several community programs including medical outreach.

We also collaborate with the Francis & Felicia Umenyi Foundation for these medical outreaches. Through the Foundation we create awareness on preventive health including cancer screening.

My mum passed away from cancer, although she was quite health conscious, she unfortunately, had a rare type. This has motivated us to encourage cancer screening because most people will benefit from this.

My mother was also an advocate for women and she was quite concerned with the cancer care in Nigeria. So, in her memory we have set up a virtual platform that will assist indigent women diagnosed with cancer in post-surgical care. The Foundation is set up in our parent’s memory to continue their work by enriching the lives of others.

How sustainable is the Francis & Felicia Umenyi Foundation, many of such Foundations didn’t stand the test of time?
Our approach will be one community at a time. By adopting a community, we will be able to build structures that will be sustained over time.

We will also form partnerships and collaborations that will allow us sustain our programmes because we have chosen to do this. We can support the community beyond health and provide educational and social service support.

We are in the process of setting up mentor ship programs for the children and youth of the community to encourage children to aspire to be someone in the future. We will do the best that we can do but we are confident that our approach will be sustained.
There is so much to do and not many that can offer assistance so we have to believe that this project will not fail.

You occupy many leadership positions; how do you manage all that and the home front?
I manage some days successfully and some days not so successfully. It is more of listing my priorities.
However, no matter how you plan there are still challenges. I also know when to take a moment for myself. It also helps that I have a very supportive husband and great staff.

Has there been any instance where you have ever regretted being a doctor or wished you were in another profession?
I love what I do but there are some days I feel like taking a break. As a doctor, you literally have no time off. People can meet you anywhere and ask for medical advice. But I can’t seem to run away from it (laughs).
I have no regrets. I have been doing this for a very long time so it is part of me.

Would you want any of your children to join the medical profession?
I will be like my parents and allow my children choose the career they love. I will support whatever profession they choose but I pray that they do not pick anything risky.

How would you compare the US health sector and that of Nigeria?
Every sector has its own issues and problems. Nigeria is still far behind in some areas but making good progress in other areas.
The Health sector has to become a priority for the country, which is not the case yet. I have come to realise that no matter who you are or your level of income or status in the society when there is an emergency you will depend on the health system available to you in your environment.

The issue of negligence amongst medical practitioners is rampant today, what could have led to this?
I’m not trying to be defensive, there is some level of distrust between the community and doctors but that is sometimes exaggerated.

Since my return to Nigeria, I have met many brilliant doctors who have achieved great results even when they are faced with limited facilities.

So, I try not to judge them harshly because they use a lot of creativity while working to save lives. The US health sector is advanced and they have more specialities. They also have advanced technology, so it may not be fair to make that comparison.
Nigeria needs to start by fixing its primary healthcare establishments. There should be more hands on in the medical schools and the path to residency should be better defined.

Healthcare providers should always be detail oriented and always have an open mind when approaching diagnosis.
Patients should remember that doctors are human and we understand that in our field mistakes are unacceptable but sometimes it is beyond our control.

We must work hard on fixing our broken health system for the sake of our patients and doctors. We have a huge exit of our finest health workers overseas. So, we are short of health workers and this can be detrimental. Most young doctors I meet are either leaving the profession or planning how to leave the country.

Given your take on the state of Nigeria’s health sector. Do you see the country overcoming its maternal and child mortality challenges any time soon?
Of course, we can’t give up hope. There are many experts working to ensure that we can reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.

We need to move from creating policies to implementing them. We need to invest in research here in Nigeria. We need to gather correct statistics to guide and evaluate implementation of policies.
If I could ask the minister of health to focus on one thing, it will be in primary healthcare. Our health system needs to move forward.

The government needs to also create an enabling environment for the private sector to function as private facilities provide care to majority of the citizens. Better collaboration between public and private health sectors will go a long way in advancing healthcare.

Apart from government intervention in the area, how do you think the women can protect themselves and their children?
I think awareness and education about everything concerning health is very important, it is not necessarily a doctor or health worker that must educate people about health. Volunteers who have knowledge in this can also do so.

We need to educate the traditional birth attendants because they live in the communities and somehow these women will still go to them. It is all about educating, training and retraining and also, they should have access to healthcare.

Nigeria also has a high prevalence of breast cancer, what would you say is responsible?
I don’t have statistics here in Nigeria but in the US one out of eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. I believe more people are becoming aware of cancer.

There is also improvement in diagnosis of cancer, so this could also cause one to think there is a rise in cancer.

What basic symptoms of cancer should everyone especially women know?
Different cancers come with different symptoms but the symptoms depend on where it is located. Women must do their screening, when you are 40 and above ensure you do your mammogram.

A sexually active 21-year-old should start doing a Pap smear. Parents should consider giving their children HPV vaccine against cervical cancer.

Men should do prostate screening. There is also colonoscopy for screening for colon cancer from the age of 60.
We must also adopt a healthy lifestyle. We should wear sunscreens. We should always visit the doctor if we notice something that may be concerning.

I am most concerned with the situation where some cannot afford treatment because 70 per cent of our population is below the poverty line and screening is not their priority. This is where the government comes in.
We need leaders that have served the community because only when you have served others can you lead with fairness, and empathy. You will also understand the culture and thinking of the people.

What is your advice to Nigerian women?
Women are the neck of any nation. We hold up the nation as we nurture the next generation. We are strong and detail oriented in nature.

I believe we make great leaders and hopefully we will have a female president one day. It is time we stand together and fight for the future of our children.
Our strength lies in our diversity and we should not allow selfish leaders divide us. Nigeria is a great country.

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