Abiodun's free surgery for the poor commences in Ogun

 

Governor Abiodun

The free surgical intervention programme for indigent people, initiated by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has been flagged off with surgical operations performed on patients at the State Hospitals in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, and Ilaro.

The programme, which began with the registration of beneficiaries, would involve major and minor surgical operations as part of the governor's medical palliative to the people.

Speaking after witnessing the first surgery performed on a patient under the free surgery programme at the State Hospital, Ilaro, special adviser to the governor on health, Dr. Rotimi Ogungbe, said the programme, which is the brainchild of the governor, was meant to bring relief to people with medical challenges that needed a surgical operation.

The services rendered under the programme include preoperative, operative and post-operative.

"I have gone round and I have seen the people who have been operated on,’’ Ogungbe said. ‘‘What the governor has done is unprecedented in the history of this state. The free surgery programme covers all operations including orthopedics, gynecological operations, obstetrics, and others."

He applauded the state government for making available medical equipment and other surgical resources, noting that medical personnel has been fully mobilized to make the programme a success.

The Coordinator in charge of the programme in Yewa Zone, Dr. Bashirudeen Oni, said surgical operations would be carried out on patients with breast lumps, hernia, fibroid, goiters, soft tissue sarcoma, lipoma, prostrate enlargement, adrenalectomy, cataract, amongst others. 

Mrs. Saidat Dopemu and Miss Ogunsiji Waidat, who were the first and second patients to be operated at the Ilaro hospital, appreciated the governor for the gesture, saying it would have been difficult to raise money if they were to pay for the operation.

Also speaking, Mr. Adisa Oladejo, whose son is to undergo a hernia operation, thanked the governor for coming up with a brilliant idea at this difficult time, calling on those with serious medical challenges but lack the wherewithal to take advantage of the programme.