In a bid to alleviate the healthcare burden on indigent residents, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, Ogun State Governor’s wife, has launched a free surgical outreach program at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu. The program, held on Wednesday, is a collaborative effort between her office and a team of US-based surgeons and medical doctors.
Mrs. Abiodun explained that the initiative focuses on treating conditions such as hernia, fibroids, goitre, and cataracts—ailments that often go untreated due to financial barriers. She stressed the moral imperative of wealth sharing, stating, “Many wealthy people have more than they need, while many others lack basic necessities. What we have in excess could be life-saving for someone else.”
She also emphasized the importance of instilling generosity in children, noting, “When they see us giving back, they learn the culture of generosity. It’s a value we should all embrace for a better society.”
The outreach has already seen 51 successful surgeries within two days, with 175 patients still on the waiting list.
Dr. Musbau Kasumu, heading the medical team, revealed that they donated a state-of-the-art endoscope machine to OOUTH. “This device is essential for early detection of abnormalities from the mouth to the stomach,” he said, urging Nigerians to adopt regular health screenings.
Dr. Oluwabunmi Fatungase, Chief Medical Director at OOUTH, praised the partnership and the endoscope’s potential to revolutionize early cancer detection, especially for silent cancers like colon cancer.