Bamidele Abiodun champions free surgery outreach for Ogun’s less privileged, urging wealthy Nigerians to support the vulnerable and help expand access to healthcare

Free surgery outreach Ogun initiative has received a boost as Bamidele Abiodun, wife of the Ogun State governor, reiterated her commitment to supporting the poor.

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She made this known on Wednesday during the launch of a free medical and surgical outreach at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu.

The outreach was organised in collaboration with a United States-based team of surgeons and medical doctors.

Abiodun said the intervention aimed to support indigent residents suffering from medical conditions such as fibroids, hernias, goitre, and cataracts.

“The take-home message here is that many wealthy people have more than they need, while many others lack basic necessities,” she said.

“What we have in excess could be life-saving for someone else. God didn’t give us wealth for ourselves alone—we must support others.”

The First Lady explained that the free surgery outreach Ogun programme had grown over the years through strategic partnerships with the US medical team.

“This is about compassion and impact. I am glad that we are expanding this initiative to more people each year,” she said.

She stressed that the culture of giving should be taught at home, urging parents to lead by example.

“It is also important to teach our children by example. When they see us giving back, they learn the culture of generosity. It’s a value we should all embrace for a better society.”

Providing an update on the progress of the exercise, she revealed that 51 successful surgeries had already been performed within the first two days, with over 175 patients on the waiting list.

Dr Musbau Kasumu, leader of the visiting US-based medical team, described the initiative as a vital support mechanism for the Ogun State government’s healthcare objectives.

He announced the donation of a multimillion-naira endoscope machine to OOUTH, describing it as a key diagnostic tool that could transform early detection of gastrointestinal disorders.

“The endoscope helps detect abnormalities from the mouth to the stomach using a video camera. It’s a vital tool in diagnosing internal issues early,” Kasumu said.

He also encouraged Nigerians to prioritise routine health checks, including blood pressure and sugar level tests, to prevent avoidable complications.

Chief Medical Director of OOUTH, Dr Oluwabunmi Fatungase, commended the outreach and highlighted the long-term benefit of the endoscopy equipment to the state’s healthcare system.

She described the donation as a game-changer for cancer screening and early diagnosis, particularly for silent conditions like colon cancer.

“There are some silent cancers, like colon cancer, that present symptoms similar to diarrhoea or constipation. Many don’t know it’s cancer until it’s too late. This machine will help with early diagnosis and improve outcomes,” she explained.

The free surgery outreach Ogun initiative is expected to run for several more days, reaching hundreds of patients unable to afford conventional care.

Residents have praised the gesture, expressing gratitude for the access to world-class healthcare at no cost.

Abiodun reaffirmed her office’s commitment to continuing such humanitarian efforts and called on other well-meaning Nigerians to join in making a difference.

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“This outreach reflects what we can do when we work together. It is about changing lives. It is about hope,” she said.