New doctor finds new home and serene living in Manjimup

A new doctor has joined the Southern Forests Medical Centre and hopes to settle in Manjimup for the long term, after moving with his family from South Africa. Ray Igbogidi joined the clinic in November, having moved from South Africa where he and his family had lived for 16 years. He told the Manjimup-Bridgetown Times he had chosen the region over other places after being offered work elsewhere — including a job in Canada. Dr Igbogidi said the move to Manjimup was an opportunity to find a quieter and closer community. “I realised I didn’t want to retire in South Africa, after spending 16 years there, so I moved,” he said. “I was looking for a place that wasn’t busy and had a community that was like a family, and a place where my kids could integrate easily at school.” Dr Igbogidi said the serene nature — and obscure location — was of interest to him, noting he “made the right decision” in choosing the town. “I felt like I needed to relocate for both family and personal reasons, and I put myself out there and I got several interviews from places around the world, including Canada and other places in Australia,” he said. “I like the quietness and peacefulness, it’s just so serene.” He had previously worked in Witbank, also known as Emalahleni, a municipality outside of Johannesburg. “It’s almost the same as in South Africa, although the referral system is a little bit different, otherwise the patients are similar,” Dr Igbogidi said. “With every patient I see and every interaction I have, I’m getting to know what is expected and I’ve become better at treating people down here. “I’ve got experience in dealing with diseases and chronic conditions and I would like the community to know to give me the space and opportunities to prove myself and if there’s anything I cannot handle, I’ll look for a way to assist them.” Citing community concerns about the often revolving door of healthcare professionals, Mr Igbogidi said he is here to stay. “Everyone I see asks if I’m staying, and they say every time they visit (the clinic) it’s a different face seeing them about their conditions,” he said. “I’m not leaving. My boys are teenagers and my wife recently got a job. I plan on retiring here, so I’m here for a long stay.”