Shekinah Clinic for the poor and destitute has been operating in Chogu in the northern region for thirty years now and has catered for over a million people in and out of the region for free. Speaking on Sanatu Zambang Breakfast live, the widow of David Abdulai disclosed to the team that, her late husband founded the clinic out of life experience.
According to Hajia Mariama Dokurugu, Dr Chogu was the only surviving child of 11 children. His 10 siblings all died out of poverty-related issues and he did not want another family to go through the pain of losing love ones because they do not have money to take their sick to the hospital or even feed themselves.
His selfless nature to help the poor and destitute in the society led him to write to the government of Ghana to resigned and set up his own clinic that will cater for the poorest in his community. His close friends and family were not in support of his decision and others even though he was mad hence the mad doctor.
With little encouragement from his loved ones, Dr Chogu still went ahead to establish the clinic and his first operation was done under a mango tree. Explaining the reason, Hajia Mariama said the late Dr Chogu perform that operation to test his God to see if he was in support of his crazy idea to embark on his philanthropic mission to help the poor in the society. His God accepted by giving him a victory in that operation.
After his successful operation under a mango tree, individuals and organizations came to help with cash, equipment, drugs and other things to help him run the clinic. As someone who came from an underprivileged family and knew the pain of going hungry, the Mad Doctor as he is affectionately called rolled out another programme to feed the less fortunate in the society. These people included the mentally challenged, destitute, prison inmates among others.
The establishment also has an educational fund that caters for the brilliant but needy students in the community which his wife happens to be a beneficiary off. Hajia Mariama who narrated the story said the Mad Doctor was in and out of school because he did not have money but he had the zeal to get an education. So the educational fund that he set up is to help other students in his society who want to get an education but do not have the funds to continue with their education.
The Shekinah Clinic for the poor and destitute is celebrating its 30 years in existence. 25th September was the launch of the anniversary. It started with a health walk, unveiling of a giant billboard of the founder and a health screening at the premises of the clinic.
There will be gala matches to be played on the 2nd of October followed by a movie screening to showcase the work of the man, Dr David Abdulai. 3rd October will be the climax of the anniversary. Pishegu Naa Alhassan Andani and Awudu Tinorga will be the chairman and guest of honour at the programme. The ceremony will be closed with a thanksgiving mass at the Catholic Church on the 4th of November.
