Who’s behind Tocumwal’s new bulk-billed GP clinic?

Dr Ike will be one of two general practitioners providing the Tocumwal community with a range of services, including bulk-billed consultations.

The general practitioner was inspired to take up his trade when he visited Eastbourne, in the UK, several years ago.

His preconceived ideas of a wealthy society, built by years of consuming Western media while living in Nigeria, were soon upended when he encountered homeless people on the streets of the seaside town.

“That was the biggest shock of my life. I thought, ‘what is going on?’” he said.

It was Dr Ike’s passion for helping those less fortunate and more vulnerable than him which drove him to decide later to open a clinic in the Southern Riverina.

He’s looking forward to the chance to repay the kindness shown by the Tocumwal community.

“I’ve always been someone who has had a passion to help. So to help the less privileged, those who are vulnerable, that drives me — that’s why I want to help. That’s where the passion comes from,” he said.

Dr Ike’s special interest areas are in skin checks, and mental and geriatric health.

A range of other services, some of which may fall under the Medicare Benefits Schedule, are also on offer at the clinic.

For instance, it will introduce a state-of-the-art laser for removing particularly stubborn warts.

With their clinic set to open soon, Dr Ike and Chioma are also putting the finishing touches on to a new home in Tocumwal.

“I see a GP as someone who is there to have a relationship with their town, because that’s why people go to their GP,” Dr Ike said.

“They understand them. They’ve treated their family.

“And they can open up to them with things they can’t open up to other specialists.”