It was a busy but rewarding day today Thursday 2nd February at Our Lady of Apostle Catholic Hospital, Oluyoro, Oke-Offa Ibadan as Olatoye Sugar Foundation (OSF) commenced its free health care and surgery programme which will run till 19th of February.

The free health care scheme organised under the auspices of Honourable Olatoye Temitope Sugar representing Lagelu / Akinyele Federal Constituency, is part of the  OSF 2017 Valentine Celebration Programme, an annual event where thousands of physically challenged and the less privileged are empowered yearly through skills acquisitions.

This year’s programme however features the first free medical treatment and surgery organised by the foundation which will benefit about 2000 participants across  Oyo State who will be treated for various ailments like; hernia, fibroid, cataract, etc. by doctors in Nigeria and from South Africa.

The health scheme which commenced today witnessed a large turnout of beneficiaries who showed up for the programme to seek treatment for different ailments. The beneficiaries, after their registration at the OSF Head office at General Gas, Akobo, Ibadan, were conveyed by the foundation to OLA Catholic Hospital – the registered hospital for the programme – for screening and collection of cards.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to CEOAfrica expressed their pleasure at the hope of receiving free medical care which they otherwise could not afford. They also expressed gratitude to Hon. Sugar and extolled him for his compassion and concern for the masses and the less privileged.  

One of the beneficiaries told CEOAfrica “I am excited and hopeful about this programme. At first I was unsure of the reality of the programme but as it is unfolding, I am certain that it is indeed a free programme that will be beneficial to us. I have been screened and tested and I have been told to come back tomorrow for further assessment.”

Another beneficiary commented enthusiastically saying “I am conversant with Hon. Sugar’s generosity and kind-heartedness but this free surgery he organised is beyond my expectation. If other Political office holders can emulate the actions of Hon. Sugar, poverty will be reduced in the country.”

The recipients of the free medical care gave heart-felt prayers to Hon. Sugar for his innumerable contributions towards alleviating poverty and making life bearable for the common man.

Also speaking at the screening of the programme beneficiaries, the Chief Medical Director at OLA Catholic Hospital, Dr Paul said the participants of the programme who showed up today had been screened and tested to determine if they require surgery or not. He noted that the screening will continue until 10th of February, while the surgeries will commence on the 11th till 19th of February, 2017.

The Chief Matron of the Hospital, Sister Lucy Ediebe also added that the beneficiaries have to be tested to determine if they can be operated on because some may be hypertensive and may not be able to undergo surgery. She assured that the beneficiaries will receive optimum health care and treatment.

Speaking to CEOAfrica was the Secretary General of Foundation, Mr Gabriel Dotun who noted that the objective of the OSF is to render every form of assistance to the less privileged, the physically challenged and the poor masses in the state. He stated that the foundation is currently embarking on several projects like construction of schools in the state, the construction of an ultra-modern facility in NTA Ibadan, the award of scholarships and grants to indigent students from Oyo State, providing of financial assistance to business owners and many other laudable schemes.