To me, and just like most people who had or still have a family doctor, those guys are the real Jack of all trades. They know what to do when your wife is in labor and your children are down with malaria; they are also the first you'll call when your teenage daughter who was vomiting was later discovered to be pregnant. They'll advise her to either keep the baby, or organize how to get rid of it discretely.
To the family, the family doctor is a fortress of hope and a stranger who had warmed his or her way into the hearts of the entire family. As a matter of fact, he's regarded as one.
In my case, our family doctor sometimes participate in our impromptu family meetings and contributed his opinions in several life-determining decisions such as career choice.
I still recollect the tale of the day I was down with chickenpox and we had to summon the family doctor. Despite the nature of the infection, he swept me off my feet, applied a cream all over and tucked me in bed. Before I dozed off, he secretly whispered into my ears that the white cream had the power to attract pretty ladies.
I smiled and had my first wet dream that night. Needless to say I recuperated fully the next day.
Unlike other categories of physicians, the real family doctors know their patients beyond the four walls of the hospital. They know the socio-economic lives of their patients and give services that are patient-specific. They stand up for their patients and ensure they create a trust circle.
And for some of us, we are in the medical field today because we had a family doctor who epitomized what medicine is all about - patient care.
As the world celebrates this year's World Family Doctor Day, I remember Prof. Ojengbede and other specialists making positive impacts in the lives of families - those who can afford their high bills and those who they are just taking care of as a charity work.
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