Mandela Washington Fellow Sparks Collaboration Between Artists and Healthcare Professionals

Martins Ifijeh

A 2015 Mandela Washington Fellow, Mr. Kunle Adewale, earlier in the week inaugurated an Art in Medicine Fellowship for public health practitioners and professional artists in Lagos.

Eighty-five medical professionals including doctors, nurses, and trained caregivers as well as 15 visual artists were inducted into the yearlong fellowship.

The 100 inductees will hold a series of creative art engagements such as painting, drawing and collaging for children and young adults living with sickle cell anemia, cancer, and mental health conditions.

The sessions will be held for patients in selected hospitals and healthcare centres in Lagos, including the National Sickle Cell Centre, Idi Araba; Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH); and Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba.

Arts in Medicine project seeks to incorporate the arts into healthcare delivery, with a view to enhancing holistic patient care. The project is funded through a public diplomacy grant from the United States Consulate General in Lagos.

According to Adewale, who doubles as project lead of Tender Arts in Nigeria, the Arts in Medicine initiative will enhance public perception of hospitals as centres for nurturing and healing.

“There is increasing evidence that the display of visual art, especially images of nature, can have positive effects on health outcomes, including shorter length of stay in hospital, increased pain tolerance and decreased anxiety,” he explained.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Arts in Medicine Fellowship, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate General, Lagos, Ms. Darcy Zotter, expressed optimism that the initiative will go a long way in improving the quality of lives of the participating patients.

“The Arts in Medicine initiative is yet another example of projects that support U.S. Mission Nigeria’s goals. The U.S. Mission to Nigeria’s Public Affairs Sections makes available grant and funding opportunities to carry out projects of this type, which have social impact.

“We are happy to support this project which seeks to transform healthcare service delivery and healing through the arts. Creative arts programmes can help patients work towards recovery in an effective and enjoyable way,” Zotter added.