Dr David Abdulai is the Resident Medical Officer of the Shekinah and Wamale Clinics in Tamale. All his friends and patients affectionately call him Dr Abdulai.
Unfortunately, this fine medical officer is the only surviving child of his parents.
His late father, Mr Abdul Kaleem, was a leper and his mother was virtually a beggar. But young Abdulai did not allow his plight in life to weigh him down. One thing he has learnt is that although life is full of ups and downs, those who are courageous and persevere as well as depend on God, are always victorious.
Born in 1951 in Tamale, Dr Abdulai said, “I grew up on the streets,” but pointed out that even during his hardships, he always tried to support the poor and work for them.
According to him, he knew what it meant to go hungry, saying “hunger has been my greatest challenge in life.”
Recounting his past experiences and achievements to the Junior Graphic at the Shekinah Clinic, Dr Abdulai said he got the chance to go to school up to the university with the support of some philanthropists and relations.
Fortunately for him, he went through his secondary and university education with the aid of government bursary, the Northern Scholarship grant and the Students’ Loan Scheme.
He completed the Medical School in 1979 and undertook his housemanship at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and the 37 Military Hospital between August 1979 and August 1980. He left for the Battor Hospital in September 1980 where he worked under a distinguished German Gynaecologist, Dr Edgita Gorges, and was later sponsored by the Catholic Church to pursue a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in Liverpool.
The church again sent him to Zambia, where he worked under a renowned and experienced Surgeon, (Dr) James Cairn, between 1986 and 1987.
He, however, declined an invitation to study for a Master’s degree in Public Health in Europe, because he wanted to remain a clinician (a doctor who has direct contact with patients).
After he returned from Zambia in 1988, his desire to serve the poor became very strong, and according to him, his heart ached very much whenever he came into contact with people who could not afford to pay their medical bills.
“I spoke with the Northern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Sam Bugri, who suggested that I came to Tamale as the District Medical Officer (DMO) and then see how I could bring my vision to fruition,” Dr Abdulai further said.
While performing his duties as the DMO, he was also taking time off his busy schedule to reach out to the poor.
Dr Abdulai said he was really touched by the plight of a mentally challenged man, on whom he performed an operation at the Nyankpala Health Centre. He explained that the man came up to him one day and asked for his assistance.
“I have no money, so if I go to the hospital I will die”, the man said.
According to him, it was at that point that he realised he had to devote his expertise and services to the poor.
For his hard work, Dr Abdulai was honoured by former Presidents, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor.
He said, “I have found happiness by putting smiles on the faces of poor people” as destitute, lepers and mentally challenged persons benefit from health care services from the two clinics established by Dr Abdulai.
The Shekinah Clinic, which is located at Gurugu, a suburb of Tamale, for instance, serves as a home to many poor people, including those who have been abandoned by their families because of their ailments.
It is also gratifying to note that the clinic serves as a home and place of healing for various kinds of people, including those suffering from HIV/AIDS and others abandoned by their relatives from neighbouring countries such as Togo and Benin.
Currently, there are 35 destitute, who have found a home in Shekinah Clinic.
Dr Abdulai has also initiated a food programme where 150 people, including the mentally challenged who roam the streets of Tamale, are fed daily.
Additionally, 25 poor widows and about 80 poor and elderly women who live on their own are served with a ration of maize every two weeks. During festivals like Christmas, between 2,500 and 3,000 poor people are fed.
Dr Abdulai aptly summed up his service to the community when he said, “I am running two clinics, aimed primarily at the poor and the destitute; we depend unconditionally on divine providence”.
As a result of his selfless service to the community and humanity, dignitaries, including former President Rawlings, Princess Ann, the daughter of the Queen of England, ambassadors, members of the Diplomatic Corps, the US Army General, and Army Officers of the Royal College of Defence Studies in England paid separate visits to the Clinic between 1995 and 2005.
Indeed, Dr Abdulai has carved a niche for himself and many poor people who have benefited from his benevolence would forever cherish and value him.
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