By Godwin Akomah, Umuahia
A United States-based urogynecologist, Dr. Uzoma Nwaubani, has passed away while on a medical outreach in Abia State.
Nwaubani was in Abia and booked to take part in a five-day medical outreach organised by the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) in collaboration with the Abia State Government to bring succour to many having health issues.
The special medical intervention, held from April 13 to April 17, was aimed at providing free healthcare services to ailing residents across the state but tragic twist crept in.
Dr. Nwaubani slipped into a sudden health emergency during the mission and died shortly, despite spirited efforts by her colleagues and Nigerian – based doctors to save he life.
Grieving Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, who expressed deep sorrow over Nwaubani’s death, described her passing as a painful and irreparable loss.
Dr. Nwaubani, a board-certified urogynecologist and obstetrician-gynecologist based in Wildwood, Florida, had travelled to Abia as part of a humanitarian medical mission organised by the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas.
She was accompanied on the trip by her husband and their daughter, a final-year medical student in the United States.
In a condolence message issued on Friday, Governor Otti disclosed that the physician suffered a medical emergency during the outreach and was immediately rushed to a hospital, where a combined team of ANPA and local doctors made frantic efforts to save her life.
“However, despite the gallant efforts of the highly skilled medical team to resuscitate her, she could not make it,” Otti said.
The governor noted that her decision to return home to provide free medical care reflected rare compassion and dedication.
“She had returned from the United States with her husband — a true son of Abia — and her daughter… to offer her medical expertise free of charge to citizens of our dear state, a sacrifice that marks her out as a compassionate and exemplary medical practitioner,” he said.
Governor Otti extended his condolences to the bereaved family and the leadership of ANPA, assuring them of the state government’s support in this difficult period.
“We are in communication with her family and the ANPA leadership and remain committed to providing support to her family as well as the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas during this trying time,” he said.
He also commended the family and the association for allowing the medical mission to continue despite the tragic loss.
“The government will stand with the family and provide all necessary support to ease their grief at this unfortunate period,” he added.
Dr. Nwaubani, who earned her medical degree from the University of Nigeria Faculty of Medicine in 1995, was the founder of the Nwaubani Urogynecology and Women’s Academy (NUWA World) in Wildwood, Florida. She specialised in female pelvic medicine, reconstructive surgery, and women’s wellness.
With over two decades of medical practice, she held double board certifications in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Widely respected for her humanitarian efforts, she was also honoured with a chieftaincy title in Nigeria in recognition of her contributions to community service and philanthropy.
