400 People To Enjoy Free Medical Surgery In Ogun
No fewer than 400 people will benefit from the ongoing free medical surgery of the Ogun Government.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, made the disclosure on Wednesday while flagging off the programme at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the free medical surgery would cover a hernia, glaucoma, breast biopsy, burn excision/debridement and other diseases.
NAN reports that the programme was jointly organised by Ogun Government in conjunction with the Rotary International District 9110, Nigeria, Rotary International 3020, India and Rotary International 3610, South Korea.
Ipaye said that the free medical surgery was to give succour to those who could not afford the cost of seeking medical attention in Nigeria and abroad.
He said, “Such surgery usually costs so much and most of our people, especially those living in rural areas and the aged, cannot afford it.’’
The commissioner urged the Federal Government to fix the health sector in order to reduce the rate of people travelling abroad for medical tourism.
“We are attending to about 400 beneficiaries free of charge and you know how much it will cost in dollars or pounds if these people are to travel to U.S. or UK for such treatment.
“This is the reason we are calling on the state government to pay attention to the health sector to reduce the money being spent on medical treatment abroad,’’ Ipaye said.
In his speech, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Jagdeep Kapoor, said that the free surgical mission would be carried out by seven medical doctors from India.
He said that Ogun was chosen by the Rotary International of Nigeria to benefit from the exercise.
Oba Adewale Osinderu, the Elepe of Epe, thanked the state government for the giant strides recorded in the health sector and for bringing the programme to the door steps of the less-privileged.
Osinderu, who is also the President, Remo Traditional Council, said: “Do you not know how much it costs to travel abroad for medical checkup, talk less of going for medical surgery?
“At least, 400 people will benefit from the surgical mission.
“We thank the state government and the Rotary International for deeming it fit to come up with this programme,’’ the traditional ruler said.
Source: The Nation
