Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, has called on affluent Nigerians to support the less privileged, as she flagged off a free medical outreach at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu.
In a heartwarming display of compassion and social responsibility, the wife of the Ogun State governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, has once again demonstrated her commitment to improving healthcare access for the underserved. On Wednesday, she launched a free surgical outreach at OOUTH in Sagamu, in partnership with a team of U.S.-based Nigerian doctors and surgeons.
Supporting the Vulnerable: A Call to Action
During her address, Mrs. Abiodun emphasized the importance of extending support to the vulnerable members of society. She urged well-meaning Nigerians and wealthy individuals to share their resources and help build a more inclusive and equitable society.
“Many wealthy people have more than they need, while others struggle with basic necessities,” she said. “What we have in excess could be life-saving for someone else. God didn’t bless us just for ourselves—we must support others.”
She added that generosity should be modeled for the younger generation, saying, “When children see us giving back, they learn the value of kindness and compassion. It’s a culture we should all embrace.”
Free Surgeries for Common Health Conditions
The medical outreach, facilitated by her office, targets indigent patients who cannot afford surgical treatment for common but serious conditions such as:
- Hernia
- Uterine fibroids
- Goitre
- Cataracts
According to Mrs. Abiodun, her longstanding partnership with the U.S.-based medical team has helped to scale up the outreach annually, with OOUTH providing a professional and conducive environment for the life-changing procedures.
So far, 51 surgeries have been successfully completed within the first two days, with 175 patients still on the waiting list for treatment.
Boosting Ogun’s Healthcare Capacity with Modern Equipment
The leader of the medical team, Dr. Musbau Kasumu, highlighted that the initiative complements the Ogun State government’s efforts to provide affordable and quality healthcare to its citizens.
In a major boost to the state’s medical infrastructure, the team also donated a multi-million-naira endoscope machine to the teaching hospital.
“This endoscopic tool enables doctors to detect abnormalities from the mouth to the stomach using a live video feed. It’s critical for early diagnosis of conditions like ulcers, cancers, and digestive issues,” Dr. Kasumu explained.
He further urged Nigerians to take their health seriously by conducting regular blood pressure, blood sugar, and general medical check-ups.
Early Cancer Detection: A Life-Saving Advantage
The Chief Medical Director of OOUTH, Dr. Oluwabunmi Fatungase, lauded the initiative and the generous donation. She described the endoscope machine as a “game-changer” in early cancer detection, especially for silent but deadly illnesses like colon cancer.
“Some cancers mimic common symptoms such as diarrhoea or constipation. Unfortunately, by the time many discover it, it’s already too late. With this equipment, we can detect such conditions early and increase survival rates,” she said.
Bridging the Healthcare Gap Through Partnerships
This free surgical outreach underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in healthcare. Through collaborative efforts like this, hundreds of lives are being transformed, and access to quality medical care is steadily expanding across Ogun State.
Final Thoughts
The initiative led by Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun is a reminder that true leadership is about service. By prioritizing the health and welfare of the most vulnerable, the First Lady sets a powerful example of how philanthropy, community action, and medical outreach can converge to drive positive change.
