Africa’s dying and her children are crying. The Dark Continent is darker than ever. We are constantly bombarded with the misfortunes of Africa. So much so that one might easily frame the entire continent in the context of poverty, war and hunger.
That said, it’s good to talk about the people who don’t reach out for help but try to improve the lives of their countrymen and women. Yesterday I interviewed one of them - Mike Ilamyo, a graduate from Makerere University School of Medicine and creator of a Ugandan medical TV show ‘Vital Doctor’ which serves to educate Ugandan people on how to prevent and treat diseases. Here it is.
Open Heart Surgery_Vital Doctor from Helena Goldon on Vimeo.
When and where did the idea of ‘Vital Doctor’ arise?
The idea for ‘Vital Doctor’ came to me in 2006. I was still studying at the Makerere University School of Medicine and, at the same time, working for my fees at Media Plus learning documentary production. My brother Jacob Dhaafa, who is a journalist as well, gave me not only the inspiration to do it but also the courage to go for it. Three years down the line, on the 23rd of August 2009, what was previously just an idea became a reality –the first episode of ‘Vital Doctor’ aired on Ugandan National Television (UBC). It was quite an emotional moment for me!
Was your journalistic skill helpful to you?
Definitely. I think my training under the guidance of one of the best journalists in the country – a CNN Contributor Bart Kakooza - had a lot of impact on my decision making.
What is the mission of ‘Vital Doctor’?
Simple: Educate, Prevent, Control. I sometimes call it the tree of life! You know, many people in my country have limited access to information and what is sad is that even those who may have access to some information don’t want to read it. I strongly believe that if an individual has information about their health or the function of their body, they can take the necessary steps to prevent a given disease or condition and at times actively participate in controlling such a disease or condition.
Human beings are a curious species and therefore, people have always wanted to know (or to learn more) about the inside of their bodies. To me ‘Vital Doctor’ tries to uncover the mysteries that lie beneath our skin, it is more than a way of accessing the inner wisdom of our bodies and at times I think it a promising new approach to healing and the way we think about our health and health systems.
Do you think it is understandable to the Ugandan audience? What do you do to make it so?
It may not be easy to measure the level of understanding the audience has about the program or a given episode but that said, there are parameters I use to gauge the level of appreciation for the program; parameters like the responses I get after an episode airs. This gives me a clue of how important that topic was to the public. But what is important is that ‘Vital Doctor’ is not about medical jargon, it is informing the public in the simplest and most accurate terms possible with a great deal of detail. Remember, the ‘Vital Doctor’ program is not a studio based program but rather, it takes place in a hospital and I think it being a practical program, people do understand and associate with it quite easily. For example, you’ll commonly see a surgical procedure on the show, or you might see a patient with a diabetic foot and gain first hand experience of how exactly a particular skin disease looks. The main issue though is the program is produced in English and not much of the population, who actually need the program, speak English.
Why is it broadcast in English then?
Well, if I was to put my finger on one particular reason why the program hasn't been broadcast in any local language, especially Luganda - the widely spoken dialect, I would say it is a lack of funding.
How do you get money for the program?
Currently, I do fund the program myself from other documentaries I produce, but it is becoming a heavy load for me to carry.
Any dreams?
To live in a community where people understand the cause of disease from a scientific point of view. I believe I don’t expect too much, that this is possible. That’s why I share my knowledge with my community. I would also like to learn more about the dynamics of this world, about how challenges are dealt with beyond the East African border.
Breast Cancer_Vital Doctor from Helena Goldon on Vimeo.
Thank you
VITAL DOCTOR airs on UBC every Monday at 10.30 PM and is repeated every Thursday at 12.00
This is great! In stead of becoming a part of the brain drain movement, he stays in his country and helps it. Too often highly educated Africans leave for the West - for which, of course, nobody can blame them. But they can contribute so much to their own continent!
Helena, nice interview. Thanks for delivering. I believe it is so important to make them informed by themselves. Even with baby steps, it is done by them for their own country’s problems.
But I have a doubt. Besides the language obstacle, by any chance do you know how many people have TV and access to electricity in Uganda? It would be nice to have a better sketch of the entire situation and the reach of the programme. There’s a lot to improve still. Anyway, a great initiative.
Loved it. Thanks.
@ Hanna: thnx, indeed you find many well-educated Africans, e.g. here, in Ireland. I personally know 6(!) Nigerian well qualified surgeons and it’s a pity (but as you well said - understandable) that they work for Irish not for their own nation…
@Hanna: you raised a good point. I would just like to add that a similar problem is faced also by developed countries such as Italy, where many researchers prefer to go to study and work abroad instead of staying in Italy.