Ogun First Lady Champions Free Surgeries, Urges Wealthy to Aid Vulnerable at Medical Outreach

The wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, has passionately appealed to affluent individuals and organizations to extend support to the less privileged in society, particularly those in dire need of medical attention. Mrs. Abiodun made this call on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, while flagging off a free surgical outreach at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu.

The outreach, organized by her office in collaboration with a dedicated team of surgeons and medical doctors based in the United States, aims to provide life-saving surgeries for indigent residents who cannot afford treatment for critical ailments. Speaking at the event, Mrs. Abiodun underscored the moral imperative of collective responsibility. “The take-home message here is that many wealthy people have more than they need, while many others lack basic necessities. 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,” she stated.

She explained that the free surgeries cover various conditions, including hernia, fibroids, goitre, and cataracts, which often burden low-income families financially. The First Lady disclosed that her office has partnered with the US-based medical team for several years, expanding the reach of this annual medical intervention and ensuring a professional environment for the procedures.

Giving an update on the progress, Mrs. Abiodun revealed that 51 surgeries had already been successfully performed within the first two days of the outreach, with approximately 175 patients currently on the waiting list. She also emphasized the importance of modeling generosity for the younger generation, stating, “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.”

Dr. Musbau Kasumu, the leader of the visiting medical team, affirmed that their initiative is designed to complement the Ogun State government’s ongoing efforts to provide quality healthcare services to its citizens. In a significant gesture of support, Dr. Kasumu announced the team’s donation of a multimillion-naira endoscope machine to OOUTH. He described the equipment as a “vital tool in diagnosing internal issues early,” capable of detecting abnormalities from the mouth to the stomach using a video camera, thereby aiding in early cancer detection.

The Chief Medical Director of OOUTH, Dr. Oluwabunmi Fatungase, lauded the collaboration, noting that it significantly expands access to quality medical care in the state. She particularly hailed the donation of the endoscope machine as a “game-changer” for early detection of silent cancers, which often present subtle symptoms until it’s too late.