Unilorin medical students offer free surgeries to 20 indigent persons

The final year medical students of the University of Ilorin have performed free cataract surgeries for 20 indigent people as part of their projects. They also offered free screening to many people. Speaking on behalf of  the students, Moshood Mustapha said the students decided to contribute a token to show concern for those affected by […]

The final year medical students of the University of Ilorin have performed free cataract surgeries for 20 indigent people as part of their projects.

They also offered free screening to many people.

Speaking on behalf of  the students, Moshood Mustapha said the students decided to contribute a token to show concern for those affected by cataract  but could not afford the cost of surgery.

"It  is a two-day-programme. We conducted screening on the first day and surgery on  the second day. There would still be post operation programme and we would need to spend more money," Mustapha said. 

Head of  the Department of Medicine, Professor Joshua F. Owoeye  said cataract, was the number one cause of blindness, adding that it was curable. 

He said: "It is as a result of the fact that people are not aware that it can be cured and  do not have access to health care facilities that the students organized these programme. Those  with cataract find it difficult to see things that are very far, and it affects everybody irrespective of age or colour. It commonly occurs in aged people". 

He urged government to support opticians with funds  so that they could treat more people with eye defects, adding  "We discovered that many people with the problem do  not come because they don’t have money.. Eye care personnels are ready to donate services free of charge but government should be modest, because we are ready to go out and carry out free surgery.”