Dr. Osahon Enabulele, President of the World Medical Association, penned down his reflections on a visit to earthquake-prone regions of Turkey.
Enabulele said, I had very emotional moments on Friday, June 23, 2023, and yesterday, Saturday, June 24, 2023, when I paid visits to Adana and Hatay cities of Turkey, both of which were amongst other cities affected by the devastating earthquake that occurred in Turkey.
My visit to Hatay City was particularly revealing as I came into close contact with many displaced families—men, women, the elderly, young children, and orphans—living in various shelter camps and struggling for basic needs of life.
In my journey through the cities, I heard of many who passed on and many who were injured. I witnessed many devastated communities and had personal interactions with those who lost their loved ones, including the sad case of a Physician who lost his wife and children on account of the earthquake but, despite this, was still providing healthcare to other injured victims.
Indeed, my heart bled uncontrollably with continuous thoughts of what more could be done to support the current resettlement and rehabilitation efforts.
Their challenging working conditions notwithstanding, I saw healthcare teams led by Physicians under the aegis of the Turkish Medical Association happily delivering care to displaced people and victims of the earthquake.
I commend the Turkish Medical Association and her coordinating teams, all physicians and other health care personnel, as well as volunteers and other groups, who are daily attending to the needs of displaced and injured people.
I am particularly thankful to Prof. Sebnem Korur Financi, Prof. Vedat Bulus, and other members of the TMA.
My heart goes out to all those who lost loved ones, as well as injured and displaced persons.
On behalf of the World Medical Association, I once again express our deep sympathies and condolences to the Government and people of Turkey and all those who lost loved ones. We deeply sympathise with all injured victims and communities and pray for their speedy recovery.
We pray for the eternal repose of the souls of all those lost in the wake of the earthquake.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")