By Correspondent in Ilorin
Dr Olanrewaju Jimoh, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, has commenced free consultation and surgical operation as part of social responsibility to patients in Kwara state.
Jimoh, who is a citizen of kwara state, said in a interview with the correspondent of The Reporters, an online publication, said he initiated the exercise as a way of giving back to the society that developed him.
The gynaecologist, who practices at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, added that the economic situation in the country which made some people unable to afford health care also prompted his decision.
He revealed that over 70 patients had so far attended to 15 patients booked for surgery.
”We are just starting the second phase of the exercise and in the first phase we operated on five patients who have been discharged and now coming back for follow up.
”The second phase which started on Tuesday also targets operating another set of five patients with different varying conditions.
”At the end of the exercise, I am targeting operating as much as 20 patients before my leave period elapse,” Jimoh said.
He listed the surgeries performed as ovariectomy (removal of diseased ovary), Myomectomy plus dye tests, (removal of fibroid) Hysterectomy Hysterectomy (removal of womb) and ovarian cyst.
The medical practitioner said the patients were drawn from across Nigeria, adding that he had created the awareness on social media and some blogs for many people to be carried along in the exercise.
”The announcement through social media made us have patients from within and outside Ilorin.
”I got calls from as far as Port Harcourt, Oyo state and some other towns in Kwara apart from Ilorin,” he said.
The gynaecologist, however, noted that financial constraints, getting volunteers ready to work without pay, limited space to accommodate the patients were among the challenges he was encountering.
He commended the management and staff of Maxi Health Hospital, Adewole, especially Dr David Akere, Matron Balikis Olateju, Dr Aishat Oyewole and Dr Taofeek Oyeyiola for volunteering to work with him pay.
Some of the patients who spoke to newsmen on the condition of anonymity said the gesture was a life saving one.
One of them, a widow who sells disposable takeaways at Oja Oba said, name withheld, she had been booked to be operated upon after several days of continuous bleeding which will cost her her womb.
