Oguntola Odunbaku Sapara the legendary was a Yorùbá Doctor. He was born in Freetown, Sierra Lione, in 1861. His parents were freed slaves from present-day south-western Nigeria.
Dr. Sapara the medical doctor was one of the pioneers of modern Medicine in Nigeria.
Sapara held an unbroken record of service in the colonial medical department for thirty-two years, starting with the post of the Assistant Colonial Surgeon. He displayed an unusual interest in lay medicine and devoted himself to the thorough investigation of traditional herbs.
His interest also extended to public health, fighting for slum clearance, and proper education of people against the tuberculosis epidemic that struck in 1918. The public dispensary he organized in 1901 later became the Massey Street Hospital, opened in 1926.
His battle with the fearful local cult that threatened dissidents with the infection of small pox is legendary. He joined the cult disguised, at his own risk, to learn the secret of their power, after which he helped the government prepare legislation to ban them.
Sapara was also concerned with infant and maternal mortality rates during childbirth and was involved in revising the curriculum for nurses and midwives at the Massey Street Hospital – viewing training as key to infant and maternal welfare.
He also advocated for improved labour facilities which led to the development of a new maternity wing for the Massey Street Dispensary in Lagos. Sapara headed the dispensary, as well as being key to its rebuilding.
Sapara received a number of honours towards the end of his working life, including the Imperial Service Order and a chieftaincy title, bestowed by the Owa of Ijeshaland. He died on 4th June 1935.…
Peoplesmind