The Olatoye Sugar Foundation (OSF) under the aegis of Honourable Temitope Olatoye Sugar, a representative of Lagelu / Akinyele Federal Constituency, Oyo State has today Monday, 13th February, commenced the much publicised free medical treatment and surgery for 2000 people living with hernia, cataract and fibroid in Oyo State.

OSF in partnership with Doctors on the Move Africa (DOTMA), a free medical non-governmental organisation founded by Hon. Dr Joseph Haruna Kigbu has begun surgical operations on beneficiaries of the free health scheme who had been registered and screened for the surgery.

Our Lady of Apostle Catholic Hospital, Oluyoro, Oke-Offa, Ibadan; the registered hospital for the free medical programme; was packed full with patients as they were directed by medical personnel and OSF officials to the appropriate rooms for tests and treatments.

Hon. Sugar, speaking to CEOAfrica at the hospital stated that surgery for fibroid, hernia and cataract had begun adding that about forty patients suffering from each of the three illnesses will be operated on every day, a process which will continue until 19^th of February when the last of the 2000 beneficiaries will be treated.

The Hon. further noted that tomorrow 14th February, the Valentine’s Day programme which will be held at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State will feature a lot of empowerment activities such as; distribution of free prosthetic limbs to disabled people who have lost one limb or the other, giving of cars to those who benefited from the free prosthetic limbs last year; giving a car to the winner of Miss Oyo Beauty Pageant, among other captivating activities.

The Head of the Medical Department at DOTMA, Mr Clement J. Ayiwulu, expressed his pleasure at the collaborative efforts of OSF and DOTMA to bring free medical treatments to the masses in Oyo State which is part of the mission of his organisation. He noted that in addition to the free surgery, free HIV/AIDs and eye testes were also being conducted and free corrective eye glasses were given to patients who needed them.

Some beneficiaries of the free surgery who spoke to CEOAfrica expressed gratitude to Hon. Sugar for sponsoring the programme. Mr Akano Abibi whose son was undergoing surgery at the time of the interview said he was very grateful to Hon. Sugar for this opportunity provided for his ailing son to get free medical treatment. He added enthusiastically that he has no problem casting his vote for Hon. Sugar should he contest during governorship election.

Ms Olayode Azeezat whose brothers were also been operated on burst into tears while appreciating the timely intervention of Hon. Sugar’s free medical scheme to her brothers’ health. She thanked the foundation and prayed for God to continue to bless the Hon.

Meanwhile when asked about how he planned to celebrate his valentine tomorrow, Hon. Sugar stated that he was spending his valentine dining with the less privileged. He stated that the essence of valentine’s day is to show love and compassion to everyone around you and “what better way is there to show love than to spend time with the poor and make them feel loved?” he asked.

L-R Dr Paul Adegoke, CMD OLA Catholic Hospital,Oluyoro, Hon. Olatoye Temitope Sugar