27th June, 2024
By Adejoke Adeleye
Over 500 indigent citizens of Ogun State have benefitted from the yearly free medical outreach strategically coordinated by the Pet Project of the First Lady of Ogun State, Ajose Foundation.
The programme is in collaboration with some US-based medical specialists, at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu and Ayepe Ijebu Central Mosque.
Speaking during the event, Wife of the state Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, said the medical intervention was to give succour to those who had been scheduled for surgeries but could not afford bills for medical procedures and medications.
She reiterated her unwavering commitment with the support of state indigene doctors from the United States to sustain the outreach, saying it was a way of giving back to the society.
On his part, the team lead, Dr. Musbau Kasumu, an indigene of Ijebu Ayepe, said his family was inspired to support government in assisting the less-privileged because of their humble background, disclosing that the team, comprising various medical specialists including, Anesthetists, Surgeons, Generalists, Dentists, Acupuncturist, Opthalmologists, Gynaecologists and Obstetrics, among others, carried out medical supports during the seven-days mission from 7. 00 am to 7. 00pm.
He said the mission continued to expand with doctors drawn from foreign countries like Ukraine, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, among others for this year’s intervention.
In her remarks, one of the team members, Head Anaesthetist, Dr. Bimpe Adenusi, appreciated staff of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, under the leadership of the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Bunmi Fatungase, for their cooperation.
She revealed that medical tests which include, eye, diabetes, malaria and screening for different diseases, as well as treatments, were also ongoing at Aiyepe Central Mosque for people in the community and environ, acknowledging the support and commitment of Mrs. Abiodun in purchasing several equipment, among other incentives, towards having a hitch-free medical outreach.
While appreciating Mrs. Abiodun and the medical team for the free surgery and medications, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Kate Ikepe, who had undergone a successful fibroid procedure, said a private hospital had billed her over N500,000 for the surgery, which she could not afford.