Estevan has found its new specialist in obstetrics and gynecology. 

Dr. Idris Yekinni was welcomed to the community March 11 by members of the obstetrics ward at St. Joseph's Hospital. Dr. Yekinni and his family have moved to Estevan from Ireland, and he has set up practice with the Estevan Medical Group on Nicholson Road.

“The hospital is a well-run hospital,” Yekinni said. “The community has been receptive, and everybody is friendly.”

The employees at the hospital have also greeted him warmly, and they have told him that they hope he will stay in Estevan for a long time.

Yekinni is originally from Nigeria. He has spent the last 11 years in Ireland.

St. Joseph's Hospital executive director Greg Hoffort said that Yekinni offers important specialist services to the community that have been lacking since the departure of Dr. Yusuf Kasim about four months ago. Mothers who are expecting their first child, or are experiencing complications during their pregnancy, will be referred to Yekinni.

“It's a great benefit to first-time mothers, and, in fact, all mothers, because he offers us the much-needed service of a C-section,” said Hoffort. “So should complications arise, we now have that service again available to us.”

During the past four months, expectant mothers who experienced complications, or who needed a C-section, had to be rushed to Regina.

Yekinni also offers support and consultation services for the other physicians in Estevan. He is also credentialed to perform gynecological procedures and operations at the hospital.

“It's a good resource for the other Estevan physicians to have that expertise,” Hoffort said.

Yekinni will only be available to see patients who are referred to him.

St. Joseph's Hospital provides more than 300 child births per year. With Yekinni's arrival, the hospital is pleased to offer yet another service to the community.

Yekinni's successful recruitment is a result of the collaborative effort of the hospital, the Sun Country Health Region and the South East Health Committee.

Hoffort said that Yekinni brings Estevan's physician count to 10. Nine of them offer general practitioner services. Hoffort said they have another one who is in the Saskatchewan assessment process, and the local health care community is awaiting her arrival in a couple months. The local health committee is also working to recruit other physicians for Estevan.