Poverty, Inc.: “The Business of Doing Good.”

Join us as Aishat Olanlege, medical student, BRI chapter founder and president at the College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan will give a presentation about Benjamin Rush Institute. Refreshments will be served.

Ms. Olanlege will discuss what BRI is and show an introductory video by Dr. Haynes, BRI executive director. She will be joined live by Faith Njoku, medical student, BRI chapter founder and president from UC Irvine School of Medicine, who is traveling to Nigeria for 13 days on an exploratory research trip, working closely with Ms. Olanlege. The two women met at the recent 2016 BRI Leadership Conference and have embarked on a remarkable project together to begin dialogue about healthcare policy in Ibadan.

After Dr. Haynes’s video introduction to BRI, the chapter will screen Poverty, Inc. to students and faculty. It is a bold look at “the business of doing good.” This is especially applicable to Nigeria — and Africa generally — as Africa is a frequent recipient of well-intentioned aid. Is such aid beneficial in the big picture? And what does “the business of doing good” have to do with healthcare policies?

More on Poverty, Inc. rom the film’s website:
“The West has positioned itself as the protagonist of development, giving rise to a vast multi-billion dollar poverty industry — the business of doing good has never been better. Yet the results have been mixed, in some cases even catastrophic, and leaders in the developing world are growing increasingly vocal in calling for change. Drawing from over 200 interviews filmed in 20 countries, Poverty, Inc. unearths an uncomfortable side of charity we can no longer ignore.”

Following the film, Ms. Njoku will give a talk concerning poverty, health, and mental health, and how together, these factors influence one’s overall health status. You can read about her trip on her blog post, and you can donate to help defray costs to travel from the US to Nigeria here.

There will be ample time for questions and general discussion throughout the event.

POST-EVENT SUMMARY: Forty-four students and interested members of the community attended one of Ibadan University College of Medicine’s first official international BRI event. The event started at 10am, with Zainab Odufuye as mediator and Ekene Ohanwusi welcoming guests at our sign in table. We showed promotional BRI videos as guests arrived, then began the program with Ms. Odufuye’s formal introduction of BRI and its values. A screening of Poverty Inc. followed, and after the documentary Ms. Faith Njoku gave a talk on poverty as an issue of health disparity. Ms. Njoku explained how rule of law and property rights help protect the poor and promote economic freedom. She concluded by introducing the Ultrasound Project, a collaboration with the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine’s ultrasound research unit, with a brief demonstration on the use of portable ultrasound.

“The documentary was well understood, but I noticed a lot of the students grappling to fully understand what BRI is about. Nonetheless, they understood what they could achieve as members of BRI and were quite eager to join. Ms. Njoku’s discussion topics of poverty and its relationship to economic freedom were a bit new; but, overall the audience seemed to grasp most of it.” ~Aishat Olanlege, University of Ibadan-BRI chapter president and event organizer

TESTIMONIALS:

“BRI seems to be a promising organisation that helps with awareness of one’s position in the economy and the greater scheme of things and also awakens a sense of responsibility to the society at large. I foresee good things with this organisation.” ~Odemuyiwa Jesutomisin, Medical student

“It was a good exposure. An interactive session should be incorporated where the students can interact with the BRI leaders. Explanation about what the institute stands for should be said at the beginning, midway into the program and at the end, so that as people come in they have a good grasp about what the institute is about.” ~Odunayo Idowu, 600 level medical student

“It was really nice being here for the first time, and I want to thank BRI for this innovation and enlightenment. ~Agoro Rofiyat B.Sc. Physiotherapy 2017 I am delighted about the potential outcomes of this institute’s partnership with the Ibadan College of Medicine; I look forward to the subsequent chapter and international meetings to learn and brainstorm on revolutionising Nigerian and global healthcare delivery and accessibility.” ~ T.J

“Quite impressive presentation. I am really interested in becoming a full member of the institute and contributing my part in the best way I can.” ~Falade, B.S., MD medical Intern

“An enlightening programme. I enjoyed the documentary. I wonder if there are plans to involve the government, enlighten them and hope they see things in a new light and review policies such that economic growth will be fostered. At the very least, the government will be aware that a body is committed to empowering the people and nation as a whole.” ~Roselyn Balogun, medical student MB/BS 2018

“It is really a laudable event, very educative and informative. This platform will help foster good relationships between medical professionals and students with the “medical doctor-patient” view as the bigger picture.” ~Magboh, Vivian O., MB/BS 2017