By PATRICIA OMOIQUI

Dr. Femi Olaleye

The very future of society depends on the efforts of individual citizens, the private sector and the government, reaching out to those who need with hands of  love.” These words open a video documenting a free medical and surgical mission recently helding Mafoluku by Optimal Healthcare Company (Nig.) Limited, sponsored by UBA. What can we give with “hands of love”?I know at least one answer Dr. Femi Olaleye, originator of the medical mission, would offer. I believe he would say, “We can give hope.” and Dr. Femi is doing just that.

Dr. Femi Olaleye is the founder and CEO of Optimal Healthcare Company, a social enterprise focused on strengthening the delivery of primary healthcare in Nigeria by building a network of Optimal Medical Centers to deliver low-cost primary and maternity care. Dr. Femi also founded and runsWish for Africa Foundation, a U.K.-based charity dedicated to improving maternal and child healthcare in poor communities of Africa.

In addition to his medical degree from ObafemiAwolowo University in Ile-Ife, Dr. Femi also holds an MBA from Imperial College, London. He became a clinical fellow in Obstetrics &Gynaecology at the Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford Kent U.K.

After a decade of service in the British National Health System, Dr. Femi returned to Nigeria, where he is bringing to life the words of Mother Teresa, “Love begins by taking care of the closest onesthe ones at home.”

Dr. Femi’s numerous honors include being chosen as a U.K. National Lottery-Funded Champion (2007), and named a finalist at the Marketplace for Diaspora Entrepreneurs in Europe organized by the World Bank in Brussels (2008). Most recently, he was selected by Mo Abudu’s Inspire Africa and Diamond Bank as a “NAIJA DIAMOND,”in recognition of the true Nigerian spirit of giving back,on the occasion of Nigeria’s 50thIndependence Anniversary, October 2010.

Dr. Femi is a pioneer. He is one of a generationof several generationsnow prepared, to give hope to his fellow Nigerians. As a champion of hope, he works to realize the right of all Nigerians to adequate health care. Dr. Femi’s brilliant, well-researched and tested approach offers solutions to some of Nigeria’s most pressing health care challenges. Consider his answers for yourself as you read what he shared during our recent interview.

What led you to become a physician?

Interestingly, I always knew I would become a medical doctor. My father believed the only legacy he could bequeath me and my siblings was a sound, high quality education. I spent six years in a top boarding school. Then my father decided I needed a “balanced” view of life and registered me for secondary school in my home town of Ada in Osun State. It was tough adjustments at first, butI have fond memories of walking to school in sandals, cutting grass with “cutlasses,” and fetching water from streams. The experience of attending a village school contributed to my quest to find a solution to the problem of lack of equitable access to basic healthcare by the average person in Nigeria today.

My intense desire to become a doctor led the PTA and the school authorities to commission a science laboratory for my set! I was excited to learn chemistry, and my class was the first in the history of the school to study physics. I represented my school at science competitions up to the state schools finals. Later, I became their first graduate to complete a university program qualifying as a medical doctor.

Where did you start your practice of medicine?

I began as a medical officer in a private medical practice in Lagos. My Medical Director then was Dr.Adeyemi, a great role model we fondly called “Baba.”He had received post-graduate training in Obstetrics in the U.K., and he encouraged and supported me tremendously in my desire to go abroad and specialize in O and G. While in the U.K. I deepened my knowledge about management and finance, two essential skills I needed to achieve my vision.

How would you compare the U.K.’s healthcare situation with that in Nigeria?

I enjoyed living and working in England. The training, working environment and salary scales for doctors are among the best in the world. The British National Health Service is a model of equitable healthcare for all, irrespective of social, cultural or financial background. Everyone living in the U.K. has access to primary healthcare up to the highest specialist level of care irrespective of geographical location or social status.

I admire the responsible way the political leaders and policy makers deliver on their mandates and make life better for the citizens. The effective legal framework allows ordinary citizens and the State to seek redress and justice when the need arises. I learnt that corporate governance is essential in the delivery of any service within a corporate entity, be it public or private.

The average life span in the U.K. is now 86 years; in Nigeria it is 47. The maternal mortality in the U.K. is 7 per 100,000; in Nigeria it is 1,250 per 100,000. The total health spending of the British Government in Healthcare is around 18-20%, but in Nigeria it is still less than 5%.

How do you relate these figures to healthcare management and finance?

At some point while pondering these statistics, I realized that the problem with healthcare delivery in my country has lots to do with how the health economics is understood by our policy makers and the relevant stakeholders. It was obvious that our healthcare infrastructures and systems are grossly under-funded. The resources currently made available by our governments to tackle healthcare issues can only scratch the surface. It was glaring that the private sector is not well-organized enough to see the great opportunities of making fantastic returns by investing in the health sector. To make affordable health care available to our people, paradigms have to shift. Things have to change. As I discovered that low cost models are becoming successful in delivering services across a wide range of sectorsairlines, fast food, housing, hotels and so on, I wondered if a low cost provider could successfully deliver Healthcare services in Nigeria.

When did the idea for low cost healthcare clinics emerge?

The idea came to me in 2001. I decided to do the thesis for my MBA on Nigeria’s healthcare space hoping to find a business solution to some of the problems. I studied very closely the Apollo Healthcare business model set up by Dr. Reddy Pratab in India because I discovered many similarities between the healthcare sectors in India and Nigeria. Apollo Healthcare led the resurgence and the renewal of the health sector in India through its multiple outlet health centers. I wrote my business plan and thesis about low cost healthcare provision and that is what now OptimalMedical Centers is.

Over the past seven years, I have set up a series of pilot health centers in Mafoluku, Agege, and Ketu–all low-income, densely-populated areas of Lagosto test and try out all the academic business strategies I had hypothesized in my MBA thesis. I am now half-way through the fourth health center, a purpose-built facility dedicated for the people of Alagbado, who have little or no access to decent healthcare services. Recently, I have been fortunate to be involved with the Olowoora Community Health Insurance Scheme in partnership with Lagos State Government. This is a pilot scheme the Lagos State Government is using to guide its policy on Community-Based Health Insurance Schemes (CBHIS).

So really, the idea of almost a decade ago has now gradually turned into a tried and time-tested business model. I have learnt valuable lessons along the way. I am now ready to scale up and grow the model across Lagos and across the entire nation of Nigeria by the grace of God.

Many Nigerians go abroad intending to return, yet not as many actually do. What caused you to carry through and make your vision a reality?

I have endured a series of personal healthcare tragedies involving members of my family. The first tragedy happened when I was a teenager in medical school. At age 47, my father died of complications from hypertensive heart disease. He did not need to die from hypertension. If my late dad had had the opportunity to be in the care of a cardiologist, he would probably be alive today. My mother did not need the pain of losing her husband when she was only 36. Sadly, hypertensive heart disease remains one of the highest killers of men, ages 45 to 55, in Nigeria.

Then, during my final year in medical school, my brother Olakunle became gravely ill. For almost a year he had been managed by our family doctor for chronic anemia. I arranged for a consultant hematologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to see him, but by the time we learned that he was suffering from leukemia and started chemotherapy, the disease had become advanced. My brother died at age 19.

As if that was not enough grief for my mother, Babatunde, my other junior brother, had the SS genotype. He had managed to live 31 years, surviving numerous heart-shattering sickle cell crises. In 2004, he had to have a tooth pulled. It got infected. The resulting septicemia required powerful antibiotics, so he was rushed to a clinic. The antibiotics used by the clinic doctors turned out to be fake, and therefore, ineffective, and Babatunde died.

At this point, I was comfortably settled in the U.K., had a great career in Obstetrics and Gynecology ahead of me and a flourishing private business that was yielding me a six-figure income in GB Pounds. I was still toying with the idea of returning to Nigeria someday. Like most of us in the Diaspora, I had not really, truly given this intention the serious commitment it deserved.

Shortly after I received the news of my second brother’s death, a moment of epiphany came on me. I reckoned there must be a reason my life had been spared thus far. There must be a reason I had acquired the skills and the experience I possess. It certainly could not be just so I could earn a large paycheck, live in a big house, drive flashy cars, wear designer suit and go on expensive holidays. Then it dawned on me, “The Lord has just revealed to me the real purpose of my creation!” The skills and experience I had acquired in the U.K. could best be deployed to serve my country. I had to come back to Nigeria and be part of the solution to the healthcare crisis that had decimated my family.

There is no reason we cannot, as a nation, organize our health system to be better than it is now. The World Health Organization claims the average life span of Nigerians is 45-47 years. Our people’s lives should not be cut short in their prime from mostly treatable medical conditions because they lack healthcare access. It is not acceptable to deny our people decent healthcare services because they are poor–to let them, their wives and children suffer in agony and eventually die miserably. We are a blessed country with abundant human and natural resources. We should be able to provide better healthcare services for our people.

That was how I became committed to the vision of building the largest network of low-cost, affordable, decent and multiple outlet health centers particularly in poor areas where the needs are greatest. Since then, there has been no turning back for me, despite all the challenges I have faced as a result of my decision to return to Nigeria to fulfill my destiny all kinds of oppositions and adversities, including some back-breaking ones I can only describe as “very personal.” These experiences have truly been a mixed-bag of highs and lows. Yet God has indeed been kind to me. I thank Him for giving me the grace to carry on.

What are some of the highs your work in Nigeria has brought you?

Delivering a project successfully is exciting and exhilarating, especially when I see the smiles on the faces of the people and when I receive their prayers and their words of appreciation. The truly heartfelt and genuine, ‘Thank you, Doctor,” I receive from people I serve in the clinics and through my projects makes it all worth it.

Can you tell us about a couple of these projects?

We brought hope and smiles to many residents of Mafoluku. On January 3, 2009, we held a New Year’s party. Over 300 residents received hot food and water, a gift pack made up of buckets of rice, packets of noodles and tins of tomato paste. They also got donated clothing and were registered for medical treatments at the Optimal Medical Center.

On September 26, 2009, we treated over 500 adults and children to free medical treatments and operations for one day at our center. The Executive Chairman of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area, Alhaji Afeez, flagged off the project. We thank the UBA Foundation for their support as major sponsor, and also Swipha and May & Baker Plc for giving us some drugs, and Chivita for providing our doctors, nurses and volunteers who helped out on the day with refreshments.

On December 18, 2009, Bashorun Dele Momodu, the Publisher of the Ovation Magazine supported our work with the 2009 edition of the Ovation Red Carol. His generosity in providing us one of the biggest entertainment platforms in Africa to raise awareness about our work was overwhelming. We were also grateful for the donation of N1 Million from the erstwhile M.D of UBA Plc, the admirable Mr. Tony Elumelu.

We started both 2010 and 2011 with a massive cervical cancer awareness campaign on the internet, radio, television and newspapers. Medical scientists now know that, if found early, pre-cancerous cell changes on the cervix can be treated and removed. When not found early these abnormal cells can lead to cancer and death. Broadcasts explained that cervical cancer screening means preventing cancer before it starts. In 2010, we offered free cervical screening to 250 women across two centers; this year we screened 400 across three centers. We are grateful for the financial and moral support of the First Lady of Lagos State HE Mrs. Abimbola Fashola. More women got free screening and subsidized treatments because she made a sizable donation.

What are some of the difficulties you face?

Funding constraints is the greatest. I have aimed to provide healthcare at affordable costs and, at times, free of charge. Of course, someone has to pick up the tab. The more money at our disposal, the greater the number we can help. With more funds, I would have doneand can do–so much more!

Disappointment is also difficult. Periodically, corporations turn down my proposals for sponsorship/support, despite the massive budgets they devote to marketing and promotion of their brands. How I wish they could channel more of such funds into projects we are proposing to help our people! If they will give me an opportunity, they will receive more than the usual returns for their Corporate Social Responsibility. I promise them that their brands would have anew and fresher look in the eyes of their customers!

Inadequate transportation for critical patients is another frustration. I need at least one ambulance to transport patients in dire need of specialist help, after I have rendered the necessary first aid at one of my centers.

How can people be of help to your organization?

My work involves running two organizations. Wish for Africa is the UK charity delivers theadvocacy component of the work. This non-profit organization is seeking individuals, corporate bodies, governments and faith-based organisations to become stakeholders in the work, either as partners, donors/sponsors of health promotions programmes within the project such as cervical cancer or breast cancer screening projects, family planning and maternity care support services, etc.

The other component, the “investment” component, needs profit-oriented investors to make medium to long term financial investments in the project through our Optimal Healthcare (Nig.) Limited platform. People can be of tremendous help by becoming partners, corporate sponsors, donors (regular or one-off) and investors in the project. Long term, I need investors and equity partners willing to take risks with me as I attempt to scale up the tested models across Lagos State and across Nigeria.

We also welcome volunteers, both medical and non-medical, for long-term and short-term placements.

People interested in supporting this work can send me an email at [email protected] [email protected]. More information is available at www.wishforafrica.org, and I am on Facebook as www.facebook.com/femi.olaleye .

“Hope begins in the dark; the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up.” – Anne Lamott,Bird by Bird