I was recently struck by a story shared by Dr. Arinze Onwumelu, a Family Medicine physician based in Calgary, Alberta. Dr. Onwumelu, a graduate of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, is well-known not only for his professional skills but also for his candid takes on life. He doesn’t shy away from real issues and presents them without pretense—qualities that have made him a notable figure on Instagram.
In a recent video, Dr. Onwumelu shared an alarming experience that challenges the widespread belief in Canada’s healthcare superiority. He recounted the case of a woman in need of knee replacement surgery who was told she would have to wait three years to see a doctor. Yes, three years. The only other option was to dip into her savings and pay $30,000 CAD (equivalent to about 51 million Naira) to get the procedure done at a private facility. For those of us who have long held Canada’s healthcare system as a gold standard, this came as a shock.
We’re often led to believe that healthcare in Western countries like Canada is nearly flawless, well-funded by the state, and readily accessible. But Dr. Onwumelu’s story casts a shadow of doubt over this ideal. How is it that in a country celebrated for its healthcare system, a person can be left to suffer for years unless they can afford exorbitant private fees? This is Canada, after all—the same country many Nigerians dream of for its supposed better quality of life.
This revelation made me reflect on the situation back home in Nigeria. Yes, we face significant challenges in our healthcare system, from underfunding to poor infrastructure. But could it be that, despite these issues, we still enjoy certain privileges? Knee replacement surgery in one of Nigeria’s top private orthopedic hospitals, whether in Lagos, Abuja, or Enugu, wouldn’t cost as much as it does in Canada. In fact, it would likely come at a fraction of the price.
While Nigeria’s healthcare system is undeniably flawed, the story shared by Dr. Onwumelu highlights an important point: perhaps there’s more to healthcare than just moving to a Western country. Nigeria, with all its imperfections, may still offer some surprising advantages.
This brings me to the possibility of the future. Many Nigerian professionals, like Dr. Onwumelu, are training abroad and honing their skills. What if, years down the line, these individuals return home to establish world-class healthcare practices? Imagine Nigeria becoming a medical hub, much like India, where people from around the world come to receive top-notch care at competitive rates.
Of course, this is not just a dream that can be achieved overnight. It would require intentional leadership and policies that prioritize healthcare development. But if we can align our skills with the right vision, there’s no reason why Nigeria can’t one day be a destination for quality healthcare.
For now, Dr. Onwumelu’s story serves as a reminder that no system is perfect—not even in Canada.
— Onyekachi Okeh, 2024
