In a captivating dialogue between Dr. Dupe Ademola-Popoola, a trailblazing figure in Nigerian ophthalmology, and Megan Webber, Co-Founder of KnowTheGlow, the seeds of collaboration and awareness were sown for a transformative campaign in Nigeria. As Megan shared her journey about her son’s diagnosis and the shock of learning about the Glow, Dr. Popoola was moved, knowing that Megan was sharing such a personal experience for the good of spreading awareness of early detection and education to the masses about the Glow.
As a young child, Dr. Popoola was mesmerized by the lovely uniforms that the nurses wore and dreamed of one day becoming one until she found herself in the hospital after a car accident and woke up from sedation to be greeted by a German female “doctor”. This encounter transformed her view of the possibilities in life as that female doctor inspired her to become a trailblazer herself, embodying resilience and determination. Medical school called to her and she answered with an early application before the age of 18! Accepted by the school she was soon extraordinarily impressed by the strong women who were leaders in the world of ophthalmology in Nigeria where she found her calling, catalyzing a dramatic shift in her trajectory.
Dr. Popoola stands as a beacon of commitment in pediatric ophthalmology, having spearheaded numerous initiatives in Nigeria. Her illustrious career spans establishing pediatric ophthalmology services, advocating for child eye health legislation, and championing capacity-building across communities. From her pivotal role in the Nigerian Paediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Society (NIPOSS) where she worked alongside the legendary NIPOSS Patron, Dr. Marilyn T. Miller, who saw great promise in Dupe from the outset! With the passing of Dr. Miller, Dupe hopes to continue her vision for NIPOSS and the country at large. Dr. Popoola’s work has expanded into her involvement in global ophthalmology committees, being a local host doctor for ORBIS, advocating for laws and vision screening tied to immunization centres as well as in schools. Dr. Popoola’s passion for early intervention resonates profoundly.
Her dedication extends to practical solutions, such as introducing innovative tools like the TELVIS® vision screening kit, aiding teachers in detecting eye conditions among schoolchildren. Her initiatives also encompass engaging diverse communities, reaching even the most difficult to reach and working with special needs schools, fostering a comprehensive approach to vision care.
As Megan Webber delved into the heart of Dr.Poopola’s ongoing efforts, their conversation navigated the journey of sustainability in awareness campaigns. Learning from past challenges, they envisioned flexible and durable awareness materials, transcending the limitations of traditional flyers. The shift to “flex material” flyers, available in various sizes and distributed via WhatsApp groups and large format prints, aimed to amplify visibility and longevity beyond the campaign’s tenure offers great promise. Dupe stressed to Megan the importance of families supporting one another along the way, even financially, as the country does not cover any treatment expenses. Each family is burdened with finding the money for treatment, leading to many abandoning care for their child.
Dr. Dupe’s vision extends to leveraging technology for wider outreach. She has pioneered virtual training programs using Telvis kits, focusing on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and retinoblastoma (RB). Her commitment to accessibility birthed the Tele-eye App and a referral website, bridging the gap for children worldwide seeking specialized care. These kits have been used to train community health workers, nurses at immunization clinics, and teachers at schools. Over the past 5 years, she made a conscious effort to focus on ROP and retinoblastoma, using all available means to educate both near and far through WhatsApp groups, radio, print, workshops, and collaborations with ocular oncologists and ophthalmologists worldwide. Last January, Dr. Didi Fabian joined Dr. Popoola in Nigeria to set up an intraocular chemotherapy lab, leading to great success.
One of Dr. Popoola’s newest aspirations is the RB Care Alliance of Nigeria (RBCAN), a forthcoming NGO aiming to advocate for early detection, intervention, and rehabilitation. Financial constraints often hinder families’ access to care, underscoring the critical need for sustainable funding and support. With RBCAN, they aim to involve parents and family members alongside core physicians, hoping to collaborate with other NGOs to fulfill their purpose of coordinating care from awareness through treatment in the country and beyond. Dr. Popoola has also developed WhatsApp groups, and an upcoming website, Coming at the challenge of vision care coordination from all angles. She hopes that an upcoming referral app will go viral, enabling anyone, anywhere, to refer a child to higher care near their home. Dr. Popoola lamented to Megan that it can take over two years for a child to be properly referred, which she finds completely unacceptable. She is determined to make a difference in outcomes for these children. In 2007, the number of children coming to her with extraocular RB was alarming, but today, less than 10% of cases present with a protruding eye. While there is still much work to do, this is a significant improvement from 2007 and is an example for the region!
Dr. Dupe Ademola-Popoola has seen much change over the years and is optimistic about the future. Her unwavering commitment to transforming child eye care in Nigeria stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and collaborative advocacy. Her visionary approach, encompassing coordinated advocacy, technology, and community engagement, paves the way for a future where every child has access to early eye care intervention.
As Megan Webber and Dr. Dupe Ademola-Popoola’s conversation culminated in a shared vision for sustainable awareness, their collaboration promises a brighter future, where awareness translates into tangible, life-altering changes for children’s eye health in Nigeria and beyond.
