Former Ogun State Governor and senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, on Monday flagged off a free medical outreach expected to benefit at least 754 people through eye surgeries, plastic (burn) surgeries, orthopaedic care, general medical consultations and other medical services.
The 14-day medical outreach, organised in partnership with Sharing Hope Medical Mission, United States of America; Eye Foundation Hospital; and Redeemer’s Health Village, is part of activities marking the 25th anniversary of the Gateway Front Foundation, founded by Daniel in 2001.
Speaking with journalists during the flag-off ceremony at Redeemer’s Health Village, Redemption City, Mowe, one of the designated outreach centres, Daniel, who was represented by the foundation’s medical consultant, Dr Bankole Osisanya, said 754 patients had been scheduled for various free surgical procedures.
He added that the outreach included free surgeries at designated centres, as well as medical consultations and treatment at 13 locations across Ogun State.
Daniel said, “This initiative is designed to make healthcare more accessible to residents, particularly those that are unable to afford the cost of medical treatment.
“The 754 patients scheduled for surgery have been identified through pre-screening exercises conducted at 12 centres, and the screening process is still ongoing.
“The free surgeries and free medical outreach are part of our humanitarian efforts to provide accessible healthcare services to the people.
“Patients are subsequently examined by doctors and provided with free medications, while those requiring surgical intervention are referred to designated hospitals for further treatment.
“This medical mission covers major and minor surgeries, gynaecological surgeries, eye surgeries with free eyeglasses, orthopaedic care, plastic (burn) surgeries, free medical supplies and general medical consultations.”
He disclosed that the foundation had also partnered with the Eye Foundation, whose personnel were visiting the outreach centres to provide free eyeglasses and eye drops.
The senator described the initiative as a humanitarian intervention aimed at improving residents’ welfare, stressing that it was not driven by political considerations.
According to him, the programme reflected a sustained commitment to supporting vulnerable people through medical interventions and other community development initiatives.
Also speaking at the event, a trauma surgeon with the US-based Sharing Hope Medical Mission, Dr Emeka Anyanwu, called on the Federal and state governments to increase investment in Nigeria’s healthcare sector to improve access to quality medical services and enhance citizens’ well-being.
Anyanwu stressed that a healthy population was essential for economic prosperity and sustainable national development.
He commended the foundation for its contributions to healthcare delivery and community development in Ogun State, urging governments to prioritise the provision of adequate medical facilities and accessible healthcare services.
“When you have a healthy society, you have prosperous people. Healthcare should be at the forefront of government priorities, with greater investment in hospitals, facilities, and the day-to-day welfare of the people,” he said.
The medical expert acknowledged the progress recorded in Nigeria’s healthcare system but maintained that more needed to be done to address gaps in service delivery, particularly in underserved communities.
He also called for greater support for non-governmental and non-profit organisations providing free medical services to vulnerable populations, noting that their interventions helped bridge gaps in healthcare delivery.
According to him, sustained collaboration among governments, foundations, healthcare institutions and humanitarian organisations would expand access to medical treatment and improve health outcomes across the country.
He disclosed that the medical exercise at Redeemer’s Health Village included obstetrics and gynaecology services, cataract and glaucoma surgeries, as well as other surgical procedures, depending on the availability of specialists and the needs of patients.
Anyanwu added that the participating medical professionals were providing treatment while sharing their knowledge and expertise with local healthcare workers.
The liaison director of Sharing Hope Medical Mission, USA, Juliet Achilike, also called on individuals and organisations with the capacity to assist vulnerable people to support humanitarian initiatives aimed at expanding access to healthcare.
Achilike said the mission’s ultimate objective was to reach underserved communities and provide medical assistance to people who might otherwise be unable to obtain treatment.
She expressed concern over limited access to adequate healthcare in several African communities, particularly in Nigeria, where some people continued to die from preventable or treatable conditions because appropriate medical services were unavailable.
“There are still many communities across Africa, particularly in Nigeria, that lack access to adequate healthcare. People continue to die from conditions that could be treated if the necessary medical services were available. This is why we must work together to provide help and save lives,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Joseph Akpan, expressed appreciation to the organisers for bringing the free medical outreach to the community, describing the intervention as beneficial to residents in need of medical attention.