Folu Adeboye @ 76: 8,000 benefit from free medical outreach in Osun

No fewer than 8,000 people are benefitting from the free surgeries, medical treatments and counseling by Redeemers Health Centre in Osun.

NEWSVERGE reports that the medical outreach was organised in partnership with Jennifer Etuh Foundation and Pro-Health International Africa.

Dr Dare Olulana, Chairman, Board of Management, Jennifer Etuh Foundation, made stated this at the flag-off of the free medical outreach at Jennifer Etuh Medical Centre, Ifewara, Osun, on Monday.

Olulana said that the programme was part of activities marking the 76th birthday of Pastor Folu Adeboye, wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

According to him, the RCCG health centre usually celebrates Mrs Adeboye’s birthday every year with free medical treatment and surgeries, adding that it usually holds in Ibadan.

Olulana, a Consultant Paediatrician at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said that this year’s programme would hold in Osun, with Mrs Adeboye’s birthday coming up on July 13.

He stated that no fewer than 5,000 people benefitted from the free medical services in 2023, while 2,500 surgeries were also carried out.

The mefical expert said that professionals from across the country, such as consultants, opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, dental clinicians, dental technicians, pharmacist and nurses, would participate in the exercise.

Olulana further stated that people from all the nooks and crannies of the country would benefit from the surgeries, including hernia, fibroid, goitre, orthopaedic and opthalmology as well as laboratory tests.

Also speaking, Pastor Ayo Ajisola, of RCCG, Region 3, Ile-Ife, said the exercise would hold from May 6 to May 10.

Ajisola, who said that the programme would also involve free eye tests and free distribution of eye glasses, added that children were not excluded.

He said that religion organisations were doing their best to provide relief and succour to nigerians, even as he commended government too for its efforts, notwithstanding the current economic challenges.

The cleric, however, urged governments at all levels to prioritise healthcare delivery by increasing health sector funding, providing modern facilities and employing more personnel.

He also called on political leaders and those aspiring for future leadership positions to include health in their agenda, as ‘health is wealth’.

In his remarks, a Consultant Paediatrician, Dr Olufemi Adefehinti, advocated for free healthcare for children in the country and access to health insurance scheme by Nigerians.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Oladipo Awoyele, lauded the organisers of the programme for the free treatment for the less-priviledged in the society.

Awoyele, a native of Ile-Ife who underwent a hernia surgery, said he had earlier been diagnosed of the disease, but could not afford the treatment.