About a dozen people from Estevan's health care and business community gathered at Allie's Dining last Thursday afternoon to welcome Dr. Charles Omogisho and his wife Flora to the city.
With a background in pediatrics, Dr. Omosigho will be establishing a family practice at Estevan's Medical Centre on King Street.
The new doctor's arrival eases some of the pressure 小蓝视频 felt by the seven local physicians who have been attempting to meet the growing city's demands. The Sun Country Regional Health Authority noted this past week that the ideal physician numbers for Estevan would now be 14.
"I'm here to stay," said Omosigho, when introduced to the group. He said he had been receiving an introduction to the city by St. Joseph's Hospital executive director Normand Poirier.
The Omosighos have four children; three boys ages 22, 19 and 17 and a 14-year-old daughter. The two youngest will be joining them in Estevan while the older two complete their university educations in England where Omosigho has been practising for the past seven years.
Estevan's newest doctor will be seeking hospital privileges and has completed the details regarding the acceptance of his credentials for practising in Saskatchewan.
Flora Omosigho is a registered nurse and was employed in a general practice in England as well. She said she hoped to resume that career after the family gets settled in their new home.
"I visited the Sun Country region about a year ago, began work on getting my Canadian documentation done, which was completed earlier this year, so I'm hoping to get into the flow of things here very soon," said Dr. Omosigho.
After 小蓝视频 shown around the Sun Country region and the various facilities, Omosigho said he chose Estevan as the city were he wanted to to set up his practice. He said the community support is appreciated and that included some temporary/transitional condominium housing courtesy of the City and the RM of Estevan and the use of an automobile at no expense, courtesy of Power Dodge while he was busy tending to the business details.
Omosigho said he obtained his medical degree in Nigeria and then continued with post pediatric certification in Nigeria and England while setting up a family practice in the northern part of Britain.
"We know our third son and daughter are looking forward to the move too, " he said, noting that as soon as his wife returns to England to tend to the final details there, they will complete the family move to Estevan.
"Our experiences so far in Estevan have been very pleasant. I hope the city continues with this type of support and structure for others, and we hope to prosper here. There are just a few local issues that have to be resolved regarding my practice, and then I'll be ready," he said with a smile.
The Omosighos were welcomed to the community by Mayor Gary St. Onge as well as Poirier who served as the emcee for the informal gathering.
