Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh

Celebrating African Women in Medicine Part 03 – Dr Ameyo Adadevoh

In this edition, Dr Toju Chike-Obi(our Pediatrician) introduces a dear friend and a hero to our nation. Meet our next amazing icon.

I give God praise for Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh’s life and for the privilege of having known her. Ameyo was pint-sized but had a huge heart. Her bubbly, irrepressible personality was larger than life. The dimples, the big laughter and the rapid-fire speech brought a lot of fun and silliness to our medical school days. Ameyo was that rare friend that for 40 years, regardless of the miles that separated us and the sometimes infrequent contact, there wasn’t a time I called with a need that she could meet that she didn’t help out and give it her all. Her huge heart, leadership and commitment to her profession was reflected in her handling of the index Ebola case and may have saved millions of lives, not just in Nigeria but throughout the world. When thoughts of having lost her threaten to overwhelm, I focus on the indisputable fact that her life counted and made a difference for an untold number of people. I hope that it also brings some comfort to her family, friends and colleagues. My prayer is that her actions and her death will make for lasting change in the health system and her sacrifice will bring out the very best that is in all of us.

DR. AMEYO STELLA ADADEVOH: BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh was the lead physician and endocrinologist at First Consultants Medical Centre, Lagos, Nigeria.

Born October 27, 1956, she attended Queens College, Ibadan and obtained her medical degree at the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos. She received specialty training in Endocrinology in the U.K. and returned to take up the position at First Consultants Medical Centre in Lagos, a position she held for 21 years until her death on August 19, 2014.

Her paternal great grandfather, Herbert Samuel Macaulay, was a prominent politician and is considered to be the founding father of Nigerian nationalism. He established the first political party. Her maternal grandfather was the first cousin of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first President of Nigeria, Her father, Babatunde Kwaku Adadevoh, was a renowned physician, distinguished scientist, lecturer, author, and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos.

In 2012, H1N1 (swine flu) spread to Nigeria and Dr. Adadevoh, a keen clinician, was the first doctor to diagnose and alert the Ministry of Health. Less than two years later, she was again the first doctor to identify another contagious virus, – this one much deadlier than the first.

In July 2014, even though she had never treated an Ebola case before, she was again able to properly diagnose and resist pressure to release Nigeria’s index Ebola patient, Thomas Sawyer, a Liberian national. The Nigerian health system was not prepared for an outbreak at the time and proper isolation protocols were not in place quickly enough. She contracted Ebola and died on 19 August 2014. Her heroic efforts prevented a major outbreak in the most populous African country and served as the catalyst for swift government action in containing the spread of Ebola.

As a result of her keen perception, courage, and steadfastness, all 20 Ebola cases in Nigeria could be traced to a single path of transmission originating with the index patient. This is what differentiated the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria from the major outbreaks in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Due to her actions, Nigeria was able to contain the virus and the World Health Organization declared Nigeria Ebola-free on 20 October 2014. Nigeria immediately became a model, with other countries looking to Nigeria to share best practices for the response and containment of Ebola. Her huge heart, leadership and commitment to her profession was reflected in her handling of the index Ebola case and may have saved millions of lives, not just in Nigeria but throughout the world.

Toju Chike-Obi, MD

REFERENCE:  Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh Health Trust

Susan-de-graft-Johnson

Celebrating African Women in Medicine Part 2

Tabitha Medical Center continues to celebrate African Women in Medicine for the month of March. In this edition, we explore the life of an extraordinary woman whose outstanding position as the first female Ghanaian doctor; and her contributions to the field of medicine made her a symbol of inspiration to women not just in Africa, but worldwide.

Susan De-Graft Johnson, a daughter of Sir Nana Ofori-Atta  became the first Ghanaian female doctor in 1949. Her quest for more knowledge regarding malnutrition led her into the field of medical research. In the course of her research, she discovered a malnutrition condition prevalent among children (resulting when there is not enough protein in the diet). She named the findings of her research work “Kwashiokor”.

BIRTH:

Dr (Mrs.) Susan de-Graft Johnson (Nee Ofori- Atta) was born in the Royal court at Kyebi, Ghana in 1917 as one of three (3) children born to Chief Nana Ofori- Atta I; the Okyenhene and Paramount Chief of the Akyem Abuakwa traditional Area, and Nana Akosua Duodu. 

EDUCATION:

Though considered the little princess of Kyebi, Chief Nana saw in her an intellect which must be developed in the highest institute of learning regardless of her status as a female. The Chief took the first steps by sending her to St. Mary’s Convent at Elmina in 1921 where she attended her Primary education. As expected, she excelled so much that she was among the few females admitted into Achimota Secondary School in 1929, at the tender age of 12.

Susan de-Graft Johnson was not only one of the pioneering students at Achimota College, but maintained a position as one of the top students in her class throughout her college years. Due to her academic excellence, she was appointed the Girls’ Head Prefect during her final year in Achimota.

After her secondary education, she entered the Korle-bu Midwifery Training School and qualified as a midwife in 1935. She practiced as a midwife for two (2) years before choosing to go to Scotland for a further course in midwifery.

However, she was encouraged by her father to undertake a pre-med course for entry into the Edinburgh University Medical School; And after she successfully gained entry, was sponsored to study medicine also by the Nana Ofori-Atta. 

CAREER:

In 1949 Susan de-Graft Johnson obtained her MB, Ch. B degrees, becoming the first female medical doctor in Ghana. In 1951, she became the Medical Officer-In-Charge at Kumasi hospital. As a former midwife, her passion for women and children made her a favoured doctor to many nursing mothers and pregnant women in Kumasi.

The Kumasi hospital authorities discovered her keen interest in the field of pediatrics, and immediately transferred her to the Princess Marie Louise Children’s hospital in Korle-bu, Central Accra (Now Accra Children’s Hospital). Soon after her transfer she became Doctor-in-charge of the PML Children’s hospital, and remained so for many years. During that time, she was affectionately dubbed “mmofra doctor” (children’s doctor).

At the opening of the University Of Ghana Medical School, Dr Susan transferred to the UGMS, becoming one of the founding members of the pediatrics department. Retiring from the UGMS, she set up her own clinic. Her unique patient centered practice gained her a great amount of popularity and affection among mothers and children. She doted on her patients and performed longer and more detailed examinations than was the usual practice.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

  1. While she was at the PML hospital, her quest for more knowledge regarding malnutrition problems among children led her into the field of medical research. Her ground breaking work on malnutrition brought to the fore deep knowledge about malnutrition as a medical condition affecting children. She provided measures to prevent its occurrence, and its management for those who already had acquired it. She named this condition “Kwashiokor” – an expression which later became a medical term worldwide. In 1974, the UG conferred on her a Doctor of Science degree (honoris causa) for her pioneering research work on malnutrition – Kwashiokor.

 

  1. Dr Susan de- Graft Johnson became a catholic while she attended St. Mary’s Convent in Elmina. She worked tirelessly for the church and was a member of several associations, particularly: Federation of Association of Catholic Medical doctors; where she became an executive, and Ghana Catholic Doctors Association. She was also known to offer free medical services for her community. In 1980 when Pope John Paul II visited Ghana, Dr. Susan de-Graft Johnson was decorated with the Royal Cross in recognition of her humanitarian efforts, and her service to the church.

 

  1. As a woman whose primary concern was for the health and welfare of mothers and children, she became a founding member of the Women Society for Public Affairs of which she was the main pillar. She used this as a medium to advance women’s right of inheritance in Ghana. In 1985, she won her fight against the Akan System of Inheritance (denying the right of inheritance to women and children). The law was changed with the promulgation of the intestate Succession Law, giving right to women and children to inherit their deceased spouses and fathers who died intestate.

 

  1. Dr Susan de-Graft was a member of the 1969 Constituent Assembly that drafted the Second Republican Constitution in Ghana.

 

FAMILY:

Dr. Susan married late in life to Dr. E.V.C De-Graft Johnson, a renowned barrister at law. She died on July 1985, in Great Britain, leaving a yawning hole in the hearts of women the world over. She will long be remembered not only as one of Africa’s pioneer female doctors, but for her social work for women and children and her contribution to the field of medicine.

Dr. Salamat Ahouiza Aliu

Celebrating African Women in Medicine

Many times women’s efforts are often overlooked,  so we have decided to recognize African women that have influenced the advancement of medicine in our society.

In West Africa, women did not become medical doctors until after the first quarter of the twentieth century, some 70 years after their male counterparts.  In Nigeria women stood out as female pioneers in medical history, proving that our women have long strived to be more than mere spectators in Africa’s male dominated culture.

So, let’s meet our first amazing icon………

The First West African Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, as well as Nigeria’s first female doctor with a licentiate of Royal Surgeon was Dr. Abimbola Awoliyi (nee Akerele) who received her medical degree from the University of Dublin, Cafreys College in 1938.

ELIZABETH ABIMBOLA AWOLIYI: PROFILE

Dr. Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi (nee Akerele)
Dr. Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi (nee Akerele)

BIRTH:

Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi was born on the 11th of November, 1910 on Lagos Island, as the 4th child in a family of seven(7). She was born to Mr. David Evaristo Akerele and Mrs. Rufina Oyinkan Akerele, a very well and respected catholic family in Lagos.

EDUCATION:

Dr. Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi attended St. Mary’s Convent Elementary School in Lagos, and then went on to Queen’s College also in Lagos. After her elementary and secondary education, she proceeded to Dublin, Ireland to study medicine in 1929.

She graduated from the University Of Dublin, Ireland with first class honors, including a medal in medicine and distinction in Anatomy.

Dr. Awoliyi was the first Nigerian female medical doctor to be licensed in Nigeria. She was also awarded a licentiate of Royal Surgeon in Dublin, a diploma in Gynaecology and Obstetrics, as well as a diploma in Child Health.

CAREER:

Dr. Awoyili was a member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) United Kingdom, and Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (MRCOG). She went from being a junior medical officer at the Massey Street Hospital Lagos, to the chief consultant and Medical Director for almost 10 years (1960-1969). In 1962, the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria appointed her as a senior specialist Gynaecologist and Obstetrician.

Also a shrewd business woman, she not only owned a 27- acre poultry and orange farm in Agege Lagos, but was director of the commercial medical store in Lagos.

PHILANTHROPY & LEADERSHIP:

Dr. Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi was an outstanding philanthropist, and belonged to a number of charities and organizations, where she served as president in more than one of these organizations. Some of them include:

  • Holy Cross Cathedral Lagos where she became the first president of the Holy Cross Parish Women Council.
  • Motherless babies Home Governing Council
  • Business and Professional Women’s Association (president)
  • Child Care Voluntary Association (President)
  • Lagos Colony Red Cross
  • National Council of Women’s Society (Also became the first President of the Lagos branch)

 

TITLES & AWARDS:

Dr. Abimbola Awoliyi received many awards during her life time, some of which include:

  • Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
  • Iya Abiye of Lagos
  • Iyalaje of Oyo Empire
  • Nigerian National Honor – Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).

 

FAMILY:

Dr. Abimbola Awoliyi was married to Dr. S.O. Awoliyi, and together they had two children; a boy and a girl. Her husband Dr. S.O. Awoliyi (also a medical doctor) died in 1965. Dr Abimbola Awoliyi died on the 14th of September 1971, she was 61 years old.