From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
Dr. Bello Mode Dange, a physician from Sokoto, Northern Nigeria, has gained international recognition for transforming pediatric healthcare delivery in Kavarna, Bulgaria.
Dr. Dange’s leadership has helped revive the pediatric department of Kavarna Hospital, improving healthcare services for children across Bulgaria’s Black Sea coastal region.
His journey from the historic seat of the Sokoto Caliphate to becoming a respected pediatric specialist in Europe is being celebrated as an example of the growing global impact of Nigerian professionals.
By taking responsibility for a struggling pediatric unit, Dr. Dange has played a key role in sustaining the only hospital serving the municipalities of Kavarna and Shabla.
“When people work together as a team, the burden becomes lighter, and success comes naturally,” Dr. Dange said.
The transformation of the pediatric department has become a story of commitment, resilience, and effective leadership.
Residents say his arrival brought stability to the ward and strengthened the future of the hospital.
The facility now remains a vital healthcare centre for communities stretching from Kavarna and Shabla to Bulgaria’s border with Romania.
Dr. Dange’s medical journey began in Sokoto State, Nigeria, where he was among 50 outstanding students sponsored by the administration of former Sokoto State Governor Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa (Garkuwan Sokoto) to study medicine at the Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria.
During his studies in Varna, he met his wife, also a Nigerian medical professional, who is now a consultant obstetrician and gynecologist in Dobrich.
After graduation, Dr. Dange returned to Nigeria for his national service, where he worked at a General Hospital in Sokoto, combining clinical duties with administrative responsibilities.
“I had to function as both a physician and hospital manager,” he recalled.
“I performed major surgeries, caesarean sections, and handled cases in internal medicine and pediatrics, often independently. It was a challenging but valuable experience.”
The couple later returned to Bulgaria with plans for specialization in anesthesiology.
However, when an opportunity in the field was unavailable, Dr. Dange switched to pediatrics.
“Children are often unable to clearly express what they are feeling. Caring for them requires patience, empathy, and the ability to understand their needs beyond words,” he explained.
Bulgaria currently faces a shortage of pediatricians, especially in smaller communities.
Dr. Dange began leading the pediatric department at Kavarna Hospital on May 15, 2026, after leaving his previous position in Svishtov to move closer to his family in Dobrich.
Despite a long daily commute, he dedicates between 10 and 12 hours each day to the department. Although healthcare reforms have reduced available beds, the ward continues to operate at full capacity.
“Just this weekend, I discharged several children and admitted new patients. The same process continued this morning,” he said.
Most admissions involve respiratory illnesses, including bacterial pneumonia and viral infections.
According to Dr. Dange, teamwork among healthcare workers has been the foundation of the department’s success.
“Our nurses know most of the children in the region personally. Every case is discussed collectively. Managing and preserving a pediatric department is a major responsibility, but teamwork makes it achievable,” he said.
He also praised the hospital’s leadership, saying supportive management creates an environment where medical workers can deliver their best.
Dr. Hamza Veliev, a veteran pediatrician with over 50 years of service in Kavarna, continues to mentor and support the department through regular weekly visits.
As his wife and children prepare to relocate to Kavarna, Dr. Dange says he looks forward to spending more time with his family.
“My greatest wish is to spend every day with my family. And truly, I am happy here,” he said.
For residents of Kavarna and Shabla, Dr. Dange represents dedication, compassion, and professionalism — a Nigerian doctor whose efforts have helped secure the future of pediatric healthcare for generations to come.
