Otefe Edebi is the Medical Director of Tranquil and Quest, an outfit that provides premium option for mental health care. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, he recalls how his journey into Mental Health practice began, financial barriers for treatment, stigma amongst others.
What inspired you to go into Mental Health?
Back in medical school at the University of Benin, we used to do Medicine, Surgery and Mental Health as the final three exams. I passed my Medicine and Surgery exams but failed Mental Health. Basically, that’s how my journey to Mental Health began. I had to stay three extra months in school to retake the exam. During those three months, I fell in love with that field of Medicine; maybe because I had always been intrigued with human behaviour and why we act the way we do. I initially thought I would be a hematologist but finding psychiatry was discovering the field of Medicine that I was naturally gifted for. I struggled with my decision for a while. I remember telling my dad that I wanted to specialise in psychiatry and his response was how will that knowledge be beneficial to the family? Over a year after graduation, during my house job, a senior colleague was going through a past question paper for PLAB or USMLE (not quite sure which one now); I noticed that when he asked questions on mental health, I was getting the answers without effort but struggled with the other aspects. That was when I decided that ‘You know what? Mental Health is it for me!’
Let’s talk about some memorable moments in your life and career?
My career has had quite a number of remarkably memorable moments; from my house officer days in First Consultant Medical Center in Obalende, where I worked under the supervision of great doctors, including Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh, to my NYSC days in Specialist Hospital Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State. When I went for the interview at Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, I was the only candidate out of the four who came for the interview that was still serving. The board seemed impressed and went on to give me a job even though I still had over 4 months to the end of my NYSC. You can imagine how ecstatic I was, knowing a job was waiting for me even before I finished my service year. There have also been unpleasant memorable days; like when I repeatedly failed my part 1 exam and when I was unemployed for over nine months after my residency training. One of the most pleasantly memorable so far was when I got employed to lead arguably one of the best private mental health facility in Nigeria, which has an international affiliation just few months before I turned 40.
What excites and motivates you as MD of Tranquil and Quest?
Anyone who knows me closely will tell you that one of the things I am passionate about is mental health in Nigeria. Being the Medical Director of Tranquil and Quest Nigeria broadens my platform to influence the narrative of mental health in Nigeria. Tranquil and Quest provides a premium option of mental health care. At TQ, as we are fondly called, we pay attention, not just to the content and quality of our treatment programme but also to the ambience of the environment within which this treatment is delivered. It gives me joy to be the pioneer Medical Director of the Nigeria arm of the GenPsych Foundation, which has its head office in New Jersey, United States of America. The CEO and founder of the US-based company is also a Nigerian, Dr. Henry Bandele Odunlami. Those moments that allow me see various people, contribute to and grow their career in the field of mental health in Nigeria, are moments that bring joy and a sense of fulfilment to me. For me, the success of Tranquil and Quest is a step forward for all of us in the field of Mental Health in Nigeria. A very senior colleague once said to me, you are a trailblazer and we are proud of you. For me, moments like that reminds me that what we do is important and that people are counting on us.
What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered?
The field of mental health can be challenging in various ways. The nature of the problem we deal with is largely misunderstood, especially in a society like ours. We battle against things like stigma and wrongly ingrained societal beliefs, which interfere with seeking proper help. The chronic nature of the illness can sometimes seem unrewarding, as people often relapse. There are financial barriers to treatment, as mental health has poor healthcare insurance coverage. Then, of course, doing business in Nigeria can also be challenging.
How do you cope with them?
We take them as they come. When we can prepare ahead, we do; at other times, we come up with better strategies to address these various barriers. Doing business is rewarding for me, regardless of the challenges. Through the difficulties, we are also becoming more resilient, as we are here for the long haul.
Who or what do you consider the greatest influence in your life and career? What are some of the other things that occupy your time?
Some of the greatest influencers of my life are not even doctors, such as Myles Monroe, Sam Adeyemi and Poju Oyemade, to mention a few. What influences me most is what they teach and how they lead. In my field, my influencers include many of my teachers during my residency training; many colleagues I have only heard of from afar who were not my direct teachers, and some I have been fortunate to be supervised by. They are too many to mention, I wouldn’t want to start and miss out anyone. I love to gather information, especially around personal, organisational and national development. I also enjoy teaching.
Let’s compare when you started and now, what has changed?
One of the major things that has changed over the last 13 years that I have been in the field of mental health is the level of awareness in the society. Now mental health professionals are being invited to various forums to talk about mental health. There are both global and local increase in awareness and this is a positive thing. There are more NGOs and more youth involvement. Recently a new Mental Health bill was passed in Lagos State and this is connected to growing awareness in the society. On the flip side is the alarming level of migration of mental health professionals to other countries. A colleague of mine informed me that only seven doctors showed up for Part 1 Faculty of Psychiatry exams at the recently conducted exams by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. Back in the period of my training, you will have at least 20 candidates come for that exam.
What are some of the changes that you would like to see in the sector?
I will like to see more people growing the private sector of this industry, so that there can be more employment. Many other fields of medicine have done remarkably well in the private sector and doctors in those fields are well remunerated. However, there is room for better remuneration in the mental health private sector. One of the things that can improve this is having the influx of healthcare business administrators and investors into this field. Collaboration of stakeholders will also help grow the sector.I will like to also see better management of our public mental health facilities. I greatly commend my senior colleagues who run these facilities; however, there is yet room for much improvement.
What is your definition of a healthy lifestyle?
It is difficult to define. However, there are three major contributors to a healthy lifestyle, namely; healthy nutrition, moderate-to-vigorous exercise and adequate sleep.
What are some of the things that you treasure most in your life?
My family! Let me rephrase it. It is not what but who? Family means a lot to me. This includes nuclear, extended, in-laws, and friends. Hanging out with family is treasured moments for me.
How do you reach your targets?
I believe in breaking big goals into small achievable goals. I also believe that sometimes you take risks and go out of your comfort zone.
What are some of the principles that you hold onto?
I have many principles that I walk with! Some of my top ranking principles are: ‘Money is an exchange for value.’ Therefore do not be a man of success; rather be a man of value.’ ‘We are not just born to make a living, we were born to make a difference.’ ‘Do to others what you will like them to do to you.’
Let’s talk about the people you admire and role models.
The truth is that there are so many people I admire but one of my biggest role model is Professor Thomas Adeoye Lambo. He is regarded as the father of Psychiatry in Nigeria. Though I never met him, I am fascinated about how he put Nigeria on the map as regards mental health. Other personal top role models for me in the field of psychiatry are Dr. (Mrs.) Taiwo Abosede Adamson, for taking me back in 2006 and still watching over me even many more years later; and Dr. Maymunah Kadiri, for taking mental health awareness to a whole new level. I also deeply admire Dr. Vincent Udenze and Dr. Henry Odunlami. They both practise Psychiatry outside Nigeria but have both immensely given back and greatly influenced the narrative of psychiatry as we know it today. I am honoured to have worked and still working respectively under these remarkable leaders.
If you had to advise women about their health what would you tell them?
There is no health without mental health. Sometimes the most selfless thing to do is to be selfish about taking care of yourself. That way, you can be of help to those around you. Be intentional about your health.
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