Dr. Temitope Farombi a neurologist at the University College Hospital [UCH] Ibadan, social entrepreneur and founder of Brain Centre Neurocritical and Rehabilitation Services in Ibadan.
By Joy Joseph
What was the rationale behind the formation of the Brain Centre?
The formation of Brain Centre came about as a result of increased incidences of neurological conditions in Nigeria. The report says that by 2030, the burden of neurological conditions in Nigeria would have tripled in terms of strokes, headache, epilepsy, dementia, and other neurological conditions like back pain and nerve problems.This increase is approximated to be three-fold. However, we don’t have enough skilled personnel to handle this surge. So, I decided to start Brain Centre to fill the critical gap when people need neurological services so that they can be attended to, both in emergencies and when they need rehabilitation.
You call yourself a social entrepreneur. What does it take to be a social entrepreneur?
A social entrepreneur is someone driven by impact and finding solutions to social needs, not necessarily by profits. Of course, profit comes along as a reward, but the main goal is to fill the gap and try to solve societal problems. That impact influences both his or her personal life and the outlook on society.
Can you tell us about the impact you’ve made in society?
I call myself a social entrepreneur because I started an online health company— OHealth —a tech company that bridges the access gap between patients and doctors, and between health seekers and health services. We noticed an increased delay in accessing healthcare. In health, time is of essence; a missed opportunity can be fatal. People often don’t want to travel far for care, so they go to quacks and roadside sellers who cause more damage. By the time patients come to the hospital, it’s nearly too late. So, we were concerned with how could we bring healthcare closer to people. That’s why OHealth was established for anybody, anywhere, anytime to have access to qualified doctors through their smartphones. When COVID came, this solution became even more needed because physical facilities were shut down. People could still access doctors from home through our platform.
Starting Brain Centre is also part of this impact: fitting into societal needs for neurological conditions, mental health conditions, and neurosurgical problems.
There is an impression that Brain Centre is meant for mentally deranged people. Can you tell us what the Brain Centre is all about?
It’s unfortunate that people ascribe “brain” only to mental diseases. Of course, mental health is part of it, but the brain is much bigger than that. Mental health is just one of thousands of brain disorders. For example, headaches, stroke, epilepsy, insomnia, meningitis, encephalitis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord problems, nerve disorders, and even muscle issues—all are brain-related. Brain Centre provides services beyond mental health. We have neurological and neurosurgical care, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, pain management, and even other specialties like cardiology because patients often have multiple conditions. It’s a multi-specialist centre, though focused on neurological care.
There used to be a popular saying: educate a girl child and you educate a whole community. What’s your take?
Women are drivers of society. They are empowered to solve problems and find logical solutions. In families, women hold things together, and that’s their role in society as well. Every woman should create solutions and establish sustainability in their community when given the opportunity.
You got your first degree, second degree, fellowship. As a woman, why go so far?
That is a stereotype, and I hate being stereotyped. I am first and foremost a human being with potential like anyone else. Society often puts a ceiling on gender, but that doesn’t work with me.
I am also a married woman with female children. I owe it to them to be a good role model—to show that gender is not a limiting factor to whatever they can become.
What would be your advice to women generally?
They must be who they want to be without limiting themselves. Don’t accept the weakling role society assigns to women. Work with the other gender to achieve your best. No tree makes a forest—two are always better than one.
As a married woman, having an understanding partner is a blessing that enhances your role. If you are unmarried, nothing is holding you back—be who you want to be. When you have children, remember you are a role model to them.
What is your life philosophy?
My life philosophy, which I borrowed from one of my lecturers, is: it takes a live fish to swim against the tide. That means I don’t follow the crowd. Following the crowd is herd mentality with more disadvantages than advantages. Standing alone with vision and values gives you a bigger perspective. Some might call that deviant behaviour. But being a “black sheep” is not negative—it’s having a mind of your own and confidence in your values.
My inner values motivate me: wanting to help people and provide support. Health is a good platform to do that. As a neurologist, I’ve had many mentors, but one stands out: Professor Adesola Okunyele. As a teacher, he was kind, warm, approachable, and available. His teaching style gave me confidence that I could learn anything if I committed myself. Aside from my fascination with the brain as an organ, his candour, calmness, kindness, and openness drew me to this specialty.
What do women in Africa need most to stand out?
The African woman needs education. Both formal and informal. Knowledge is power, power not to harm, but to do good and intervene. Women need education, grit, determination, and focus. With knowledge, people will respect you as someone of value. Women also need skills, something they can do well. And most importantly, financial independence. This allows women to do the things they desire, without dependence on other genders.
