A Surgeon Guided by Faith and Excellence
Mr. Bankole Akomolafe has dedicated more than 30 years of his life to the NHS as Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire’s first Black consultant vascular surgeon. Known for his compassion and precision, he has performed some of the most complex surgeries while drawing strength from his faith.
“Vascular surgery is a very complex and detailed specialty,” he explained. “The margin of error is very small. If I get it wrong, people could lose their limbs or even their life.”
Before difficult procedures, Akomolafe takes a quiet moment to pray. “Sometimes when I have a very difficult operation, I go into the loo and I’m on my knees praying for my patients,” he said. His approach blends medical skill with spiritual grounding, a combination that has helped save countless lives.
From Nigeria to the NHS
Akomolafe arrived in the United Kingdom from western Nigeria in 1991 through a British Commonwealth Scholarship in transplant surgery. He came with a clear dream — to become a vascular surgeon.
The profession he chose is among the most demanding, involving operations on veins, arteries, and lymphatic vessels. Despite the challenges, he was ready for the journey ahead. “I knew it would not be easy,” he recalled, “but I was ready for the challenge.”
Three decades later, his dream has not only been realized but has left an enduring mark on British healthcare. His focus remains on staying at the forefront of his field. “Keeping up to speed with knowledge, new research, techniques, and technology allows me to offer cutting-edge surgery for patients,” he said.
Dedication to Patient Care
For Akomolafe, every surgery is personal. He treats each patient with empathy and humanity. “You can’t underestimate the importance of thinking this could be a friend of mine, or my mum, brother, or sister,” he said.
He understands the fear patients feel before surgery. “They ask, ‘Doctor, am I going to be okay?’ I tell them, ‘I can’t promise you anything, but I can promise you I will do my very best for you.’”
Even when outcomes are uncertain, his faith and support from colleagues help him stay grounded. “Everyone looks up to you. The buck stops with you,” he shared. “But sometimes things don’t go according to plan. At these times, I can say that God has been really faithful.”
Confronting Racism With Grace
Despite his years of service, Akomolafe has not been immune to racism. He recalls an incident during a hospital ward round when a patient used a racial slur instead of his name.
“I introduced myself, and the patient said, ‘I can’t pronounce that name. Can I call you [a racial slur]?’ I politely said no. I didn’t want to be called that name,” he said. “I was surprised because I had not expected that. It came out of the blue. I took a moment, then I returned to the ward. You just take it on the chin.”
The hospital later reported the incident, reinforcing its zero-tolerance policy toward racism. Simon Nearney, Chief People Officer for NHS Humber Health Partnership, acknowledged that such experiences still affect staff. “They save people’s lives,” he said. “If we didn’t have those staff, we wouldn’t be able to provide the services we do. We do not stand for racism.”
Strength, Service, and Self-Care
Surgery is a demanding profession, both mentally and physically. To cope, Akomolafe runs half marathons for charity. “When I’m running, it refreshes my brain and takes away the pressures of being a surgeon,” he said.
He has spent over three decades transforming lives, helping patients walk again and return home to their families. “It’s rewarding to see somebody thinking they’re going to die, then they walk out of the hospital alive,” he said. “People thinking they’re going to lose their leg, then they walk out with both their legs.”
After years of service, Akomolafe remains humble about his impact. “I believe I’ve contributed my little quota to the NHS,” he said. “And it’s been a privilege to do it.”
