Kehinde Fagbuaro

By Kehinde Fagbuaro

The average life expectancy in the UK is 81.60 years (Office of National statistics, UK 2015). The average life expectancy in Nigeria is 51.03 years (World bank, 2015).

The photo here is that of my new friends, Rob (88 years) and his wife, Mary (83 years). I met this couple in a shopping complex at Paisley, Scotland this morning, they DROVE there in their car to shop for their 62nd wedding anniversary which is due next weekend and I was filled with ‘jealousy’. I see many like them so often due to the nature of my work too (health sector).

They were so excited about my interest in their longevity and sound health that they posed for photograph for me. They gladly told me about the progress of their children (two ‘boys’, now men ??), grandchildren, great grandchildren and a great great grandchild (a toddler ??).

I lost my mum in 2003, at a ‘tender’ age of 60 years to an ‘easily’ manageable Type 1 diabetes disease and my dad, six months later (at 71 years of age, both died the same year).

I am a Christian and I believe in power of prayers, but let me quickly write it here that, what sustained this couple till this age is access to quality and free healthcare, NOT PRAYER.

I have a dream that one day Nigerians will have access to such and an end will come to foreign medical tourism. This will reduce the time we spend on warfare prayers so that we can devote more time for the love of God and our neighbours……

Folks,
Yes, I have a dream………..

Kehinde Fagbuaro is a Biomedical Scientist, based in the UK.