NOVA Season 8 Episode 13 Doctors of Nigeria (The)

The episode 'Doctors of Nigeria' from season 8 of the popular science show NOVA profiles the work of four dedicated Nigerian doctors who are striving to improve the country's health system. Despite facing numerous challenges, including a lack of resources, funding, and support from the government, these doctors are determined to improve the quality of life for Nigerians and provide better access to medical care.

The episode begins with an overview of Nigeria's healthcare system, which is notoriously inadequate and underfunded. The country has a population of over 200 million people, yet there are only 30,000 doctors and 100,000 nurses to serve them. This means that many Nigerians do not have access to basic healthcare services, and those who do often receive subpar care due to the overworked and undertrained medical professionals.

The camera then follows four Nigerian doctors who are working to change this situation. The first doctor profiled is Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, who runs a small clinic in Kano, a northern city in Nigeria. Despite having very limited resources, Dr. Garba is able to provide a range of healthcare services to his patients, including surgeries and prenatal care. He also works with local midwives and traditional healers to integrate their practices into his clinic, ensuring that his patients have access to a wide variety of medical care.

The second doctor featured is Dr. Ola Orekunrin, who runs the Flying Doctors Nigeria, an air ambulance service that transports critically ill patients to hospitals across the country. Dr. Orekunrin founded the service after experiencing the death of her sister due to a lack of medical care. She believes that access to emergency medical care is essential to improving Nigeria's healthcare system and is working to expand her service to cover more rural areas of the country.

The third doctor is Dr. Chris Idowu, a pediatrician who runs a hospital in Lagos, Nigeria's largest city. Dr. Idowu's hospital is the only one in Nigeria that specializes in treating children with cancer, a disease that is on the rise in the country. He and his team work tirelessly to provide chemotherapy and other treatments to their patients, often at great personal sacrifice.

Finally, the episode profiles Dr. Iruka N. Okeke, a microbiologist who is working to improve the use of antibiotics in Nigeria. She believes that the overuse and misuse of antibiotics is contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections, which are a growing problem in Nigeria and around the world. Dr. Okeke is working to educate medical professionals and the public about the proper use of antibiotics and the dangers of antibiotic misuse.

Throughout the episode, we see each of these doctors at work, caring for their patients and working to improve the overall health of Nigerians. We also hear from other medical professionals and experts, who provide insight into the challenges faced by Nigeria's health system and the potential solutions to these problems.

Overall, 'Doctors of Nigeria' is a powerful and inspiring episode that highlights the dedication and resilience of Nigerian doctors in the face of daunting challenges. It is a testament to the importance of healthcare access and the vital role that medical professionals play in improving the lives of people around the world.