Healthcare professionals who leave their home countries to serve abroad often make significant contributions to their host communities. One such individual is Dr. Bello Mode Dange, a Nigerian physician whose dedication and leadership have revitalized pediatric healthcare in the Bulgarian town of Kavarna. In this interview with Bulgarian journalist Aida Panikyan, Dr. Dange reflects on his journey from Sokoto State, Nigeria, to Bulgaria, his professional experiences, and his commitment to improving child healthcare.
“I am happy here”: The Nigerian doctor revitalizing pediatric care in Kavarna, says.
From the historic city of Sokoto in northern Nigeria to Bulgaria’s picturesque Black Sea coast, Dr. Bello Mode Dange has emerged as a symbol of dedication and resilience.
By taking charge of a struggling pediatric department in Kavarna, he has played a vital role in ensuring the continued operation of 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. Bello Mode Dange
A new chapter for Kavarna Hospital
Every healthcare institution has a unique story, but the recent transformation of Kavarna Hospital’s Pediatric Department stands out as an extraordinary example of perseverance and leadership. At the centre of this success is Dr. Bello Mode Dange, a compassionate and humble physician whose commitment to patient care has earned him the admiration of the local community.
Residents acknowledge that his arrival helped stabilize not only the pediatric ward but also secure the future of the hospital itself. Today, the facility remains a crucial healthcare lifeline for communities stretching from Kavarna and Shabla to Bulgaria’s border with Romania.
From Sokoto to Bulgaria
Dr. Mode’s journey began in Sokoto State, Nigeria. During the administration of the visionary Governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa (Garkuwan Sokoto), he was selected among 50 outstanding students awarded government sponsorship to study medicine at the Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria.
It was in Varna that he met his future wife, also a Nigerian medical professional, who now serves as a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist in Dobrich.
Following graduation, Dr. Mode returned to Nigeria to fulfil his national service obligations. He was posted to a General Hospital in Sokoto, where he combined clinical duties with administrative responsibilities.
“I had to function as both physician and hospital manager,” he recalls. “I performed major surgeries, Caesarean sections, and managed cases in internal medicine and pediatrics, often independently. It was a demanding but invaluable experience.”
The couple later returned to Bulgaria with plans to specialize in anaesthesiology. However, when a residency position in the specialty was unavailable, Dr. Mode redirected his career toward pediatrics.
“Children are often unable to clearly express what they are feeling,” he explains. “Caring for them requires patience, empathy, and the ability to understand their needs beyond words. Bulgaria is currently facing a significant shortage of pediatricians, particularly in smaller communities.”
Reviving the pediatric ward in Kavarna
On May 15, 2026, Dr. Mode assumed leadership of the Pediatric Department at Kavarna Hospital, leaving his previous position in Svishtov to be closer to his family in Dobrich. Despite the long daily commute, he dedicates between 10 and 12 hours each day to the ward.
Although recent healthcare regulations have reduced the number of available beds, the department continues to operate at maximum capacity.
“Just this weekend, I discharged several children and admitted new patients. The same process continued this morning,” he says.
The majority of admissions involve respiratory illnesses, particularly bacterial pneumonia and viral infections.
The power of teamwork
According to Dr. Mode, the success and stability of the department are the result of strong collaboration among healthcare professionals.
“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 also speaks highly of the hospital’s administration.”
Our Director combines excellent management skills with genuine compassion. When leadership is supportive and understanding, it creates an environment where everyone can perform at their best.”Dr. Hamza Veliev, a respected pediatrician with more than five decades of service in Kavarna, continues to provide mentorship and guidance through regular weekly visits.
Finding a home away from home
As his wife and children prepare to relocate to Kavarna, Dr. Mode looks ahead with optimism and determination.
“My greatest wish is to spend every day with my family,” he says. “And truly, I am happy here.”
For the people of Kavarna and Shabla, those words carry profound significance. They reflect the dedication of a physician whose professionalism, compassion, and commitment to teamwork have helped secure the future of pediatric healthcare for generations to come.
