The Association of Resident Doctors, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (ARD-UITH), on Saturday conducted free medical surgeries for 10 indigent patients in Kwara State.
Speaking with journalists during the exercise in Ilorin, ARD-UITH President, Dr. Mariam Shiru, said the intervention was part of the association’s corporate social responsibility to the community.
She explained that the surgeries included corrective procedures for patients with inguino-scrotal hernia, lipoma, and cataracts.
She said that the surgeries were part of the medical outreach organised earlier, were people were screened and administered free medication for various illnesses.
Shiru pointed out that the average cost of the surgery, if done in an average hospital, was N1.8 million.
The recipients had the surgeries free of charge, including post operative medications and eye glasses for the eye surgeries,” she added.
She further said that healthcare was becoming increasingly expensive, while appealing to other well-meaning Nigerians to help the indigent citizens.
Shiru also advised people on the importance of health insurance, saying that Federal Government had mandated that all Nigerians should get enrolled.
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She urged people to eat healthy food, exercise regularly, drink water often, avoid harmful substances, such as toxic creams, soap, and, more importantly, do regular medical check-ups.
“From the outreach, many of the people had very elevated blood pressures, which they were not aware of.
“Untreated hypertension is dangerous and can cause sudden death.
“Once people are diagnosed with hypertension, they should know that treatment is for life and not stop medications abruptly.
“As simple as regular blood pressure check in a pharmacy or health centre will go a long way.
“Same goes for checks for diabetes and kidney function,” she said.
In separate remarks, Mrs Folasade Bakare and Mr Joseph Oyeniyi, who both had eye surgeries, commended the doctors for the life saving intervention.