By Lucky Ighomuaye
Dr Mercy Obamogie is a woman of many parts. She is a family physician with over three decades of experience. She’s also a lawyer, public health advocate and pastor. Recently, Obamogie, who is based in America, sought to give back to the society that moulded her into what she is today. She opened a medical clinic in Benin City, Edo State with the sole aim of organising medical outreaches for the citizens.
In this interview, she spoke on the effects of the mass migration of Nigerian youth abroad, popularly called the Japa syndrome, on the health sector and advised the government to consider a private-public partnership with Nigerian physicians trained and living abroad in order to boost the health sector.
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Why did you venture into the ecclesiastical space even as a medical doctor?
I’m a recent graduate of Shekina Bible College, USA, and an ordained non-denominational pastor. I come with several accolades to the glory of God. I am a family physician of 36 years of active medical practice in the USA. I am also a lawyer with a doctorate in law (JD- Juris Doctor), an entrepreneur with an MBA degree (Master of Business Administration), and a public health advocate with an MPH degree (Master of Public Health). I hold several advisory board positions with organisations based in the US in the areas of health, business, and education.
When the Lord calls, you answer. This is a calling from the Lord. The Lord wants me to embark on touching the spiritual health of His people. In my private practice in USA, I currently minister to several individuals with diverse physical ailments, but have underlying spiritual needs.
As the Holy Spirit directs, these individuals are prayed for with their consent, and they are healed. God has sent me to heal the sick, not just physically but spiritually and emotionally. I believe that my recent graduation from Bible School and ordination as a pastor is a culmination of God’s divine purpose for my life. God is looking for honest workers in His vineyard. I have offered to work in God’s vineyard according to His direction.
Can you tell us about your hospital in Nigeria?
This is part of God’s divine purpose in my life. The clinic was launched in September 2024 and offers state-of-the-art equipment for medical laboratory studies, ultrasound, and radiology (x-ray studies). It is also equipped with an ambulance and personnel to handle emergency cases. It has an in-house pharmacy and a designated area for rehabilitation services.
Parents who are medical practitioners always love some of their children to tow their professional path. Are your children following your line?
Two of my children are in the medical field. They are Dr Abisola Odunmbaku, a radiologist, American Board-certified and fellowship-trained at Johns Hopkins University Hospital with about 12 years of experience, and my second daughter, Dr Adenike Odunmbaku, who is an emergency medicine physician, American Board-certified with 10 years too. They also love to serve the Lord.
How do you manage as a pastor, mother, medical practitioner, grandmother, and philanthropist? What time do you have for yourself and family?
Like everything else in life, if you are determined to succeed in any role you find yourself, you commit it to the Lord and work towards achieving your goals. This is what I have done with all the roles that I have assumed. It is the Lord who directs my steps, and He will continue to do so to His glory. Many people believe that you cannot do more than one or two things at the same time without compromising your relationship with your loved ones. But I am here to tell you that you can do all things well without affecting your family dynamics if you put God first and allow Him to direct you.
What are the most amazing and the most embarrassing moments in your career as a medical practitioner?
There are several periods that I would classify as amazing when patients would come up to me in public and start thanking me for saving their lives from one health condition or another. In most cases, I do not remember the details of the events because it is second nature for me to do my work diligently based on the training that I received in medical school and residency programme.
You asked about an embarrassing moment in my career as a medical practitioner. I honestly cannot pinpoint one. Life is not always smooth sailing. There are periods of highs and lows in every person’s life. It is how you manage those periods that matters.
How is the issue of mass migration abroad, the japa syndrome affecting the healthcare sector in Nigeria, and what is the way forward?
I believe that by “Japa” Syndrome, you are referring to the mass migration of Nigerians abroad in search of greener pastures, especially among the young. This negatively affects the economy and ultimately the societal values of the citizens. There are many graduates seeking employment, and even those who are employed are unable to meet the financial demands of everyday life. In the healthcare sector, we have a shortage of medical practitioners. I am speaking as a businesswoman and a medical practitioner who owns a new clinic in Benin City.
It is difficult to recruit medical practitioners because most prefer to relocate abroad. My clinic is modelled after the American standard, with all the necessary equipment available for the practitioners to work with. We also realise that the salary must be commensurate with the prevailing living conditions. We aim to recruit and retain the practitioners by offering the basic amenities and adequate remuneration. I am only speaking as an individual.
The government has a major role to play in preventing the mass exodus of our young ones abroad. They must equip all hospitals, employ and pay staff well. In addition, there should be training and retraining of all staff.
In Nigeria, we have had cases where healthcare workers are being assaulted. What do you think should be the solution?
Without knowing the details of what you are referring to, it is difficult for me to give an opinion. However, as a lawyer and a practising physician, it is unconscionable for anyone to assault a health care worker. Cases of assault against health care workers should be prosecuted with the full extent of the law. Working in the health care field is a service to humanity. Healthcare workers should be given their due respect, and similarly, patients should be treated with compassion. It is a two-way street.
What is your advice to the government as it relates to the healthcare sector in Nigeria?
My advice to the government, both federal and state, is for them to take healthcare seriously. They should provide all necessary equipment for the medical practitioners and healthcare workers to work efficiently. They should remember that they were elected to serve the people and not the other way around. They should pay them what they are worth to prevent exodus migration abroad.
The government should consider a private-public partnership with Nigerian physicians trained and living abroad. They carry a lot of knowledge, which can be harnessed locally if given encouragement and an enabling environment.
With your superlative professional and academic titles and still counting, how should you be addressed – Pastor, Professor, Doctor Obamogie?
I am not hung up on titles. One’s performance will speak for itself. You can address me as Mercy Obamogie.
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