WITH DR PFONGKAZAH DIDAMSON 

Konsultant: Please give us a brief description of yourself sir? 

My name is Dr Pfongkazah Daniel Didamson, a senior registrar in the Neurosurgery Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. I’m married and blessed with 2 children; I’m the founder of Christ Happy hands forum, an organization involved in organizing both medical and surgical outreaches, we also sponsor students in school as the need arises. I am also a 

musician, I play the instruments, and have so far produced two albums. I was the pioneering school president at Bingham University; I’m the incoming CMDA Nigeria Vice President (North). 

Konsultant: What are your greatest accomplishments as a Christian doctor? 

As a Christian physician my greatest accomplishment is showing the life of Christ to my patients. Occasionally, I have patients tell me about how I’ve helped them in so many ways; for example, one patient’s mother said she wished I was a Muslim because of how caring I had been to them; of course I used this opportunity to share my faith. When you live your practice for Christ, lives are touched. 

Konsultant: How was your experience in medical school? 

I graduated from Bingham university; a private university owned by ECWA; the school started with a medical school and we struggled with accreditation. We had to spend several years waiting for accreditation before moving to the next class, it was really challenging, uncertainty everywhere, wondering when we were going to graduate. I had a lot of issues with sponsorship: school fees, textbooks, and feeding were a problem. I even had to be borrowing laptop from mates to study. Studying medicine was not easy. 

Konsultant: How did CMDA contribute to your experience in medical school? 

CMDA taught me to live my life as a doctor with purpose. Most of the activities we were 

involved evangelism, outreaches; prepared me, shaped my mind to what it is today, those things were platforms for us to be trained. The experience of CMDA is really rewarding.

Konsultant: Is your career in neurosurgery how you have always imagined it to be? 

The practice so far has been rewarding. Although things have not always been how I’ve imagined them because of lack of facilities; however there have been many moments of fulfillments. For example, when we drain a massive epidural hematoma, we watch a patient brought unconscious dramatically recover and we wonder how that patient would have died if they didn’t come to the right center. Things are beginning to improve now as more instruments and machines are brought into the facility.

Konsultant: What inspired you to start your NGO and how has it been so far? 

I come from a very poor background. Before I gained admission to medical school, I graduated from a nursing college; but I’ve always had that dream of being a doctor. I remember that the day I gained admission, I also got employment as a nurse; but I wanted to be a doctor. I knew my parents didn’t have the means to sponsor me, I had to put my trust in God. All through medical school I had support from the church, from people God touched and particularly from a ministry I used to be part of. I’m a product of help. One day in my quiet time, it was clear to me that I’m meant to be a source of help to people. I started even while in school: when I had a surplus of school fees, I shared with people I knew that didn’t have enough. After the results of my little interventions, we decided to go big. The NGO has since been thriving, going higher and higher. 

Konsultant: What is your opinion about “japa” for greener pastures? 

It doesn’t always get rosy for some people immediately. they leave the country; some people have to go through certain challenges. I am not against leaving the country, but as a Christian, I believe you should remain in your place of assignment. I won’t advise anyone to “japa” because other people are going; you should allow God to direct you; there are people abroad who are struggling and regretting their decisions to go. If God wants you to remain here, do so; establish yourself, do what is expected of you.

 Konsultant: How have you been able to balance things of family, career and your NGO? 

It has not been easy; I always tell myself that all these things are for a time, a time is coming when I may not be able to do anything. I try to spend maximum time with my family. My wife and I take our annual leave together so we can either travel or stay at home together, God, 

consistent planning, communication and an understanding wife has really helped a lot. 

Konsultant: On a final note, how would you like to advise the upcoming generation of doctors? 

You have all chosen the right profession. Depend on God for help; marry right; look at CMDA as a training ground for your future, therefore take it seriously. Be diligent in your academics, find time for God. God bless the house of CMDA. Thank you very much.