Olaopa lauds Wada’s breakthroughs in IVF birth

Prof. Tunji Olaopa, Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, commended Dr. Ibrahim Wada for his groundbreaking work in infertility treatment through In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) at Nisa Premier Hospital. Speaking during a courtesy visit to Wada in Abuja on Friday, Olaopa acknowledged Wada’s national renown since 1999, when the hospital recorded its first IVF birth. He emphasized the importance of Wada’s contributions in combating societal pressures on women facing infertility, calling them ‘widely celebrated.’ Olaopa also urged Wada to take on policy and advocacy roles to further impact the health sector. Wada, accompanied by hospital executives Dr. Moses Shuaibu and Dr. Nonso Ogbuefi, expressed gratitude for the visit, reaffirming his commitment to the hospital’s vision. Shuaibu highlighted the need for government support, particularly in addressing electricity shortages and tax burdens that strain operations. He noted that such challenges were absent during Wada’s practice in the United Kingdom, underscoring the disparity in healthcare infrastructure. Olaopa’s visit was framed as a tribute to a ‘medical icon,’ aligning with his mission to recognize societal contributors, inspired by late scholar Prof. Claude Ake’s critique of Nigeria’s lack of heroes. The Chairman stressed that Wada’s advancements in reproductive medicine have earned national appreciation and urged broader engagement in shaping healthcare policies. The hospital’s leadership acknowledged the visit’s significance, emphasizing that realizing Wada’s vision requires collective support, especially from the government. Challenges like unreliable electricity and tax policies were identified as critical barriers to advancing medical services in Nigeria.