The first female plastic surgeon in Northern Nigeria, Dr Halima Rabeh-David, has died.
The Medical and Dental Consultant Association, Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja and Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter disclosed this on Thursday at the procession in her honour held in Lokoja.
The event which took place at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja attracted friends, family, course mates and colleagues of the deceased whose death left people across different divides devastated.
Late Dr Halima Grace Rabeh David who was born on October 29, 1962, died on April 15, 2023, aged 60.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director, Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja Dr Olatunde Alabi described Dr Halima Grace Rabeh David as a virtuous Woman whose sudden demise has thrown the surgical world into sorrow.
While describing the deceased as a big gain in heaven following her humanitarian service to the nation, and across the world, Dr Alabi noted the late plastic surgeon was an “epitome of humility, who was widely loved by all that have had an encounter with her.”
Dr Alabi told the gathering to emulate the good virtue of the deceased, adding that, she would forever be remembered for her simplicity, humility, hard work and commitment to the work of God.
In his speech, Dr Ebune Ojochide, from the Surgery Department, Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja explained that the late Dr Halima Grace Rabeh-David left a fulfilled life while on earth.
Dr Ojochide, who lauded the deceased for her exemplary leadership while on earth said “Living a life worthy of emulation is what people should strive to achieve. She fought the good fight and died in the process, and she has been and will continue to be remembered for her selfless service to her country”.
Adding his voice, the Chairman Medical Advisory Committee Dr Ododo Bernard said the deceased is humbly personified adding that, Nigeria has lost a great Woman on earth.
He charged the gathering to imbibe the positive life of Dr Halima Grace Rabeh David,
On his part, the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Mike Ogirima said the deceased was his classmate in 1982.
According to him, “the deceased while on earth promoted the work of God and has won many souls for God”.
The immediate past President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, MWAN Dr Mrs Patricia Medupin who could not hide her tears recalled, that, the deceased was the first member to be lost in the history of the association in Kogi State.
Dr Medupin further revealed the role the deceased played when MWAN was launched in Kogi State in 2015 adding that, she played an important role in sustaining the growth of the association.
Dr Medupin averred that the death of Dr Halima Grace Rabeh David has brought sorrow and sadness to the association, just as she described her as a pillar who will forever be missed.
She maintained that NWAN is still shocked over the demise of Dr Halima Grace Rabeh-David, urging the deceased family to take solace in the irreplaceable loss.
