Over 500 Osun Residents to Receive Free Eye, Dental Treatment
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
More than 500 residents of Osun State are expected to benefit from free eye and dental treatment under a medical outreach organised by the Osun Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA) in partnership with Rotary clubs in the state and the Rasaq Akindele Foundation.
The outreach commenced on Monday in Owode-Ede, with services including cataract and pterygium surgeries, provision of corrective glasses and various dental procedures.
Speaking at the commencement of the programme, the Executive Secretary of OSHIA and Rotary Major Donor, Dr Rasaq Akindele, said the initiative was aimed at helping residents who could not afford the cost of treating eye and dental conditions.
Akindele disclosed that more than 300 people had been screened for eye problems, while over 200 others had undergone dental screening. He added that about 150 of those examined would require surgery.
He assured the beneficiaries that all necessary surgeries would be performed free of charge.
“To the glory of God, we have successfully screened over 300 persons with eye defects and over 200 persons with dental issues. That is a total of over 500 beneficiaries who walked into our screening centres with pain and are now filled with hope,” he said.
“And we want to announce boldly here that every single person among them who requires surgery will be operated upon free of charge. No one will be left behind. Surgeries commence today, Monday, October 12,” he added.
The dental services to be provided under the programme include scaling and polishing, curettage and tooth extraction, while residents with eye conditions requiring corrective lenses will receive glasses.
Akindele explained that the intervention followed visits by Rotarians to eye and dental clinics and correctional centres across the state, where they encountered elderly people and young residents struggling with sight problems and serious dental conditions.
He also announced plans to extend the outreach to correctional centres, where female inmates would receive reusable sanitary pads as part of efforts to promote menstrual hygiene.
The OSHIA executive secretary called on individuals, corporate organisations and government agencies to support similar initiatives aimed at making healthcare accessible to vulnerable members of society.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr Adekunle Akindele, commended the organisers, describing the programme as part of efforts to improve access to essential healthcare services in the state.
He said the initiative would provide relief to residents who might otherwise find it difficult to pay for medical treatment.
The governor also welcomed the inclusion of menstrual hygiene support for female inmates, noting its importance to the dignity and well-being of women and girls.
“This is a thoughtful intervention that promotes menstrual hygiene, dignity, confidence and the well-being of girls and women in our society,” Adeleke said.
The outreach is among several health interventions undertaken by OSHIA to support vulnerable residents across Osun State.
In a related development, more than 42,000 pupils in public primary and secondary schools in the state have benefited from free eye treatment under the Imole School Eye Health Programme.
The initiative, launched by the state government, covered six zones and provided free glasses, medication and surgical treatment for pupils with severe eye conditions.
