IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – A medical doctor and social media influencer Chinonso Egemba known better as Aproko Doctor, has opened up on his battle with a brain tumor and the surgery he underwent.
The doctor took to his social media page to share a two-minute video of the dreadful moments when he was “fighting for his life” in the past few weeks, as he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and had to undergo surgery.
“Throughout December of 2022, I was fighting for my life. I went blind in one eye on the 3rd of Dec. 2022 & on the 5th, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
“Today I stand here before you to share my story. It has been a long road to recovery but each day is better than the last.”
Unsure of his survival chances, he said he had no idea he would be making this video today.
Aproko Doctor added: “It was so bad that I couldn’t read out from my phone to the point where this eye, I couldn’t see with it, and it was also closing.”
He further revealed that although people pressured him to leave the country for his surgery, he stayed back.
“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,” he tweeted.
“Education, health. For me… those are the two systems any nation needs to succeed.
“I’m dedicating my life to seeing that they succeed in our country Nigeria.
“I hope you see it too,” he continued.
His tweets sparked reactions on Twitter on Monday morning, with many Nigerians praising him for his professionalism as well as the dedication of Dr. Ojo.
Reality star, Leo Da Silva said: “I know of this man, brilliant and exceptional.”
@collinzofficial2 tweeted: “At this point nobody wanted to know what region he hail from but everyone wishes for a successful surgery…Our nation can only be great when we shun the ethnical and religious sentiments..Kudos @aproko_doctor for trusting our own and I commend Dr Tayo for his professionalisn 💘”
@ibinod77 also 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.”
In the same vein, @be_emmanuel wrote: “I am a neurofibromatosis patient, He did a spine surgery for me too at LUTH he also Assist Dr Ugboro in doing a skingrafting surgery of the foot for me, I do much love that man
“He is neurosurgery department in LUTH Lagos.”
@UthmanAyatu said the doctor chose to stay in Nigeria even though he could have travelled abroad in pursuit of higher income.
“He is one of the best in Nigeria, he is most likely going to be one of the best abroad too with high income but he chose to stay in Nigeria. Dr. Tayo Ojo, may Almighty Allah reward you. Thank you sir.”
“Doc, we thank God and pray for total recovery.
“For Dr. Tayo Ojo, it is people like him that have taught me to uphold my convictions. He would have been part of the ‘group-thinkers’ and japa to practice abroad maybe for better pay or convenience, but he is here. Thank you sir ❤️,” @AnointedEnoh wrote, praising the medical personnel.
Another tweep, @cute_pecky lauded the medical doctor who conducted three surgeries on her when she was diagnosed with colon cancer.
“Dr Niyi Amole was the chief surgeon who conducted 3 separate surgeries on me when I was diagnosed of Colon cancer in my early 30s. Unfortunately we lost him to COVID-19 in 2021. Nig got some best Doctors.
“Second pics was my healing process. May God heal those in d same phase.”