Pushing Invisible Boundaries That Affects Women’s Health Is My Priority – Dr. Selma

BACKGROUND

My name is Dr Selma Echeune Yahaya. I was born in Moscow, Russia. I am the fifth child from a beautiful family of seven children . Sadly, my  parents, AVM Mahammodu and Dame Mary Yahaya  have both passed on.

EDUCATION

I schooled at the Airforce Primary schools in Victoria Island, Lagos and Kaduna respectively. I completed my secondary school education at the popular to St Louis Secondary School in Bompai,  Kano State in 1992 , after which I  proceeded to the University of Jos for medical school. 

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CAREER

After my graduation as a medical doctor in 2001, I proceeded to do my Housemanship at the Jos University Teaching Hospital Plateau State. I did my NYSC as a medical officer in Taraba State between 2002 and 2003. 

I returned to Jos University Teaching Hospital for residency Training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology after which I was awarded the fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons in 2014. 

I worked briefly as a senior medical officer in the AIDS Prevention Institute of Nigeria in the Jos University Teaching Hospital and then proceeded to the Caldedale and Huddersfield NHS Trust Foundation Hospital in West Yorkshire, UK for two years from 2015 to 2017.

 I returned to Nigeria and took up employment with the NISA Group (Nisa Premier Hospital) where I currently serve as the pioneer medical director of the Nisa Reproductive health Center, Kaduna State and double as the resident Consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist. 

The NISA Reproductive Health Center primarily serves as a gynecology and fertility center for now so most of my clinical duties center around the infertile client or couple-from consultations/counseling, to investigations and  treatment. We offer services like Insemination, IVF, family gender balancing, genetic diagnosis for offspring of AS/AS couples etc. Infertility is a major issue as it affects up to 30%of couples so it is very rewarding to be able to offer services that bring so much joy to families. We have been in operation for almost 5 years and we have recorded successes with numerous healthy babies and very happy clients. A major challenge we still face however is misconceptions about our services from cultural and religious concerns and also the stigma attached to having had assistance in conceiving. We however pride ourselves at Nisa for our sincerity and discretion.

MENTOR

I have had a few mentors along my life and career journey one of which is my late mother, Dame Mary Yahaya. One similarity among all my mentors is that they dared to dream and they worked hard (with the blessings of Almighty God) to actualise their dreams. 

 INSPIRATION

I am not sure I have a singular inspiration. I however, desire to leave anyone who has met me feeling better about themselves and being impelled to be the best version of themselves.

DREADS

My dread or fear is to get to a point where I don’t feel the need to try to make a difference anymore.  

CHALLENGES

I guess the obvious one is being a woman in a patriarchal society. I am happy that the narrative is changing albeit slowly as more women keep pushing the invisible but real boundaries that limit our achievements and belittle our contribution . For example, I remember when I decided that I wanted to specialise as an Obstetrician/ Gynecologist, one of the senior colleagues whom I admired asked me why I was “stressing “ myself. He wondered why I would not do something less stressful that would be more in keeping with being a wife and mother. He did not consider that all my patients as and OB/GYN are women and that representation matters to these women especially those of conservative Northern extraction. All he saw was a woman trying to do a man’s job. I dare say a contributory factor to the poor maternal health indices we see in Northern Nigeria today is because the health care service providers are predominantly male. 

REGRETS

As a Christian, I choose not to have regrets because every decision I have made or not been able to make has and will work out for my good.

WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS

We are all different from each other because our God given gifts vary. For me, the ability to rise to the challenges, the twist and turns that my life has taken whether I am afraid or not is a gift. I see myself as a woman, a doctor and a mother, aiming to do and be my best, God being my helper.  

PROJECTIONS

I hope to see women being able to access reproductive health services without any hindrance. My Ultimate projection is to be an integral player  in the implementation of positive modifications in the structure and functionality of the healthcare industry locally and internationally. 

HOW DO YOU COMBINE PROFESSION WITH FAMILY LIFE?

When my children were young , under the age of seven , particularly in their first 3 years , I must say it was difficult combining my role at home with that at work. It was tricky to get a suitable Nanny but once I did get a stable support system in place, things git easier. I believe for women who want to combine being a mother, home maker as well as a professional, something has to give. The home, children, career or the  woman has to suffer some level of re prioritizing for a while. You can not have it all as top priority at all times.For me, it was my career that took a temporary backseat. My career was somewhat suspended at some point and I remember feeling bad at that time . However, I realized that I was not ready to make sacrifices in certain areas and I was patient. The good news though is that it is temporary. Children grow and their needs change, also with growth in your career, the expectations also change. At this point in my family life and career, everything is given top priority. 

ADVISE TO FELLOW WOMEN

My advice to women is Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid to want the best, buy be prepared to do the work. Do not be discouraged when you seem to be stagnated in some aspect of your life. You are most likely making a sacrifice that will eventually pay off. Do not be afraid to make a U turn when things are obviously not working the way you envisaged, you have it in you to adapt to challenges. Your dreams are valid, so dream big.