The female doctor on a mission to empower women’s health and heal communities

Angelica Obayi was just a child when her mother, a lawyer, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2001. Too young to fully understand, she recalls hushed conversations between her parents and her mother’s sudden absence. What she didn’t grasp then was the emotional and physical toll this would take on her family. Her mother endured surgery, chemotherapy and a long, uncertain recovery.

Years later, while Angelica was in secondary school, her mother began bleeding again. Panic rippled through the family, already scarred by the initial diagnosis. Angelica remembers feeling helpless and terrified. “I didn’t know what was happening. I started to wonder, why her? Why my mother?” This experience left a deep impact, igniting a passion she didn’t yet realise would become a central force in her life.

Determined to understand the disease that had almost taken her mother, Angelica immersed herself in learning about cervical cancer, reproductive health and the importance of early detection.

Her curiosity, combined with her father’s influence—he was a medical doctor with a deep commitment to serving his community—led her to medical school at the University of Nigeria. But Angelica’s vision extended beyond a traditional medical career. Community service, particularly in health education and awareness, became her true calling.

Confronting Health Stigmas

In medical school, Angelica became acutely aware of how uncomfortable many women, like her mother, were discussing their health issues with professionals. This reluctance was particularly strong in rural areas, where access to healthcare was scarce, leading to delayed diagnoses and preventable deaths. “There’s a huge aversion to speaking with professionals,” she says. “Many women would rather talk to roadside chemists than seek a doctor’s help, especially for reproductive health issues.”

This realisation galvanised Angelica into action. She began advocating for women’s health, focusing on reproductive education. Many women were unaware of screenings like Pap smears, which can detect cervical cancer early. She witnessed firsthand how stigma and fear prevented women from seeking the help they needed.

Angelica’s advocacy took many forms. She launched a YouTube channel to simplify complex medical topics for women, from reproductive health to general wellness. Though currently on hiatus, Angelica plans to revive the channel soon, driven by her commitment to spreading awareness.

Collaborating with the Medical Women’s Association in Asaba, Delta State, she appeared on radio shows and participated in outreach programmes, helping women feel more comfortable discussing their health. Still, many remain unaware of the openness and non-judgmental nature of medical professionals.

One unforgettable encounter occurred during a school outreach on World Menstrual Hygiene Day. A 16-year-old girl confided in Angelica that she had stopped menstruating for over a year but had told no one. Her fears and silence were a stark reminder of the barriers women face when discussing health issues.

During another outreach to remote villages, Angelica encountered heartbreaking cases of extreme neglect. In one instance, a mother showed a disturbing lack of concern for her critically ill infant, unaware that her baby was on the brink of death. Angelica and her team administered emergency care, but the experience left her deeply affected, reinforcing her belief in the importance of educating these communities.

The Silence Around Women’s Health

Angelica has observed a persistent problem: many women, especially in rural areas, internalise the belief that their health issues are trivial or should be endured in silence. Excruciating menstrual pain, for example, is often dismissed as normal, even though it could signal serious conditions like endometriosis. The combination of silence and limited healthcare access frequently leads to preventable complications.

Societal norms further complicate women’s healthcare decisions. Angelica has seen women delay necessary surgeries, such as caesarean sections, due to pressure from their families, despite the potential to improve their lives. “It’s heartbreaking,” she says. “Women often want the procedure and can afford it, but societal expectations hold them back until it’s too late.”

Economic constraints also force women to choose between their own health and their family’s well-being. Angelica advocates for policies that not only provide affordable healthcare but also support women holistically, ensuring they have the resources to prioritise their health.

Environmental Health Advocacy

Angelica’s passion extends beyond women’s health. Growing up in a rural community where her father established a hospital, she witnessed how the environment profoundly affects people’s lives. “Your environment shapes who you become,” she says. “It impacts health, opportunities, and even mindset.”

In 2020, Angelica began advocating for environmental health, focusing on the intersection of public health and environmental factors. She has written articles and participated in projects that raise awareness about how industrialization and pollution are linked to rising health issues like infertility and certain cancers.

Port Harcourt, notorious for its oil exploration, is a striking example. Thick soot covers homes, the air quality is poor and cases of lung cancer are rising. Water contamination in riverine areas has led to mercury poisoning and kidney failure. Angelica is particularly concerned about the indirect health effects, such as infertility, which she believes is exacerbated by environmental pollution. Yet, when couples struggle to conceive, the blame disproportionately falls on women, with little attention paid to male reproductive health.

“People don’t realise the slow build-up of mercury in their bodies from the food they eat,” she explains. “This can cause long-term issues like kidney disease or infertility, yet women bear the brunt of the blame for fertility issues.”

A Vision for the Future

Angelica draws inspiration from trailblazers like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Dr. Ola Brown, alongside her grandmother and parents. With plans to become a fertility specialist, she envisions helping families grow while advocating for equitable access to healthcare for all women. For Angelica, the goal isn’t just medical care—it’s creating a world where women have the support, resources, and knowledge to thrive.

Currently working on her second book, Twinkle Before Your Twilight Years, following her debut novel Veronica, Angelica aims to empower teenagers and young adults to take control of their futures in a rapidly changing world. She believes staying ahead in the era of AI and technological advancement is essential.

Balancing her multiple roles is no small feat, but Angelica has a clear strategy: prioritisation. “I know that at any point, one role will require more attention than the others,” she says. “If I’m needed as a doctor, I fully commit to that. If I’m at home, my family gets my full attention.” She credits her support system of accountability partners and mentors for helping her stay grounded.

Angelica Obayi’s story is one of resilience, advocacy, and a commitment to improving the lives of women and the environment. As she continues to navigate the challenges of her multiple roles, her mission remains clear: to empower others and effect lasting change.