Oyo state, Christian Mission Offer Free Surgery to Indigent Patients

The Oyo State Government, through the Primary Health Care Board, in partnership with the Christian Blind Mission (CBM), has commenced surgical intervention for 100 indigent patients with hydrocele and lymphedema management across the thirty-three Local Government areas of the state.

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A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, says the Executive Secretary (ES), Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Muideen Olatunji, speaking at the Oke-Are Primary Healthcare Center, Ibadan, venue of the surgery, disclosed that the programme was targeted at indigent patients who cannot afford the operation in any private hospital.

Olatunji noted: “We have one of our programme interventions that we refer to as Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and there are many diseases under the NTDs. One of them is this hydrocele and many people tend to have these health issues. The health issue tends to cause embarrassment to whoever has it. So CBM is supporting us to operate on most of these people that may have financial challenges.”

The ES disclosed that the government had mobilised local NTDs coordinators to search for those who may have features in the 33 Local Government areas of the state, to enlist the people and bring them to the facility to be operated on free of charge.

He stated: “Today, we operated more than ten, and we wish to go further and continue with the programme, using this place as the central point that patients will be coming. In fact, there is a commission for them when they come, like the cost of transport back home will be taken care of because we understand that they are not financially buoyant.”

He said the gesture by the partners and the Oyo State Government was to support them, urging them to visit Oyo State Primary Healthcare facilities, some of which he claimed had been renovated and upgraded by the government, for follow ups.

Earlier, in his speech, the Project Director, Christian Blind Mission (CBM), Enan Adamani, who spoke through the Project Manager, Elizabeth Ezeobele, explained that the organisation was in partnership with the Oyo State Government to conduct lymphatic filariasis morbidity and management disability prevention for residents of the state.

He maintained that the Oyo State Government, through the Primary Healthcare Board, focused on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), commending the government and its officials for the support shown towards the success of the programme.

Speaking on behalf of his son, who was among the beneficiaries, Mr Sheriff Adeyemo, applauded the governor of the state for the gesture.

He also thanked the partner and medical team for the prompt and qualitative healthcare given to his son at no cost.