AMINA BRAI OMOIKE
Nigerian neurosurgeon, Dr Tayo Ojo, has come into the limelight for ‘saving’ the life of popular Nigerian medical influencer, Dr Chinonso Egemba aka Aproko Doctor.
The online health influencer on Monday revealed he had been battling with a brain tumour that needed to be removed.
Tweeting a photo of the doctor, he said, “It was Dr. Tayo Ojo, a neurosurgeon here in Nigeria, that did the surgery. So many people begged me to leave the country and get the surgery done, but something kept me back here because I still had trust in us. We just need more investment in our health sector.”
It turns out that Aproko Doctor isn’t the only one who can testify to Dr. Ojo’s expertise.
On twitter, Sucrefashions stated “Same here. I was advised to traveled out but my family Doctor insisted that Tayo Ojo is one of the best in Nigeria. He did my surgery six years ago in LUTH, a very good neurosurgeon”.
Former reality TV star, Leo Da Silva, tweeted, “I know of this man, brilliant and exceptional.”
Favouritethings tweeted, “Dr. Ojo is the angel that saved my life from brain aneurysm in September 2022 too. Such a kind man. I was already bleeding into my brain before I got to LUTH on 9/9/2022. Here I am, recovering and grateful to be alive. Nigeria has hope if we can support our doctors.”
B Emmanuel tweeted his own encounter with Dr Ojo, saying, “I am a neurofibromatosis patient. He did a spine surgery for me too at LUTH. He also assist(ed) Dr Ugboro in doing a skin-grafting surgery of the foot for me. I so much love that man.”
Sola Baloo tweeted, “Wow! Same Dr. Tayo Ojo did my father’s brain surgery in 2019, and my old man is doing just great.”
An Instagram user, Jane Michael, said, “This is the doctor that saved my mum from brain tumour in LUTH.”
In 2021, news of patients of Dr. Ojo making full recovery were heard.
One said: “The doctors say his survival was miraculous. The neurologist says that it’s rare for someone to recover full brain function so quick.
“Three aneurysms successfully clipped in Lagos. The German checkup doctors said the Nigerian doctors did a world-class job.
“All check-ups giving clean bill of health. Six months of brain function recovery and he’s now back to normal.”
Aje Agbaje said: “Dr Ojo. He did brain tumor surgery for someone very close to me. Man’s a genius and a national asset. He should be protected at all cost.”
Opaleye Adebayo said: “Dr Tayo Ojo is one of the best brains Nigeria has. He knows this thing.”
Susan Fadipe said: “Had a brain surgery at LUTH in 2013 and all I can say is that Dr Ojo is absolutely phenomenal.”
Dr. Okafor Emmanuel tweeted: “Saw him as our own ‘Ben Carson’ first time I saw him in LUTH. Honored to have been taught by him”
Odi Peter said: “Glad to be reminded of this inspirational man who saved the life of a colleague who suffered a brain injury in Feb 2014. He is a Nigerian hero and his type inspires hope in the talent in this country. Deserves national recognition for the great work he does in the middle of despair.”
On Monday, Mimi Kalinda, Group CEO and co-founder of Africa Communications Group, South African based Pan-African company hailed Dr. Ojo on LinkedIn.
She wrote: “Nigerian doctors are brilliant. We just need to invest in the local healthcare system to keep more of them in Nigeria!
“Dr Tayo Ojo, you have done it again…we see you and we celebrate you! Thank you.”
Research shows that neurological disorders account for more than 20% of the worldwide disease burden with Africa hosting the greater majority of people affected.
Unfortunately, there is a dearth of neurologists on the continent, Nigeria inclusive.
Currently, there are only about 70 neurosurgeons and about 80 registered neurologists serving a population of over 200 million people in Nigeria.
Dr. Ojo is one of the few left in Nigeria. He is a consultant neurosurgeon at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). He was trained at the University of Lagos.
