Outreach Medical Services Foundation gives hope to sick children on HWN HUMANITY

Hope is coming the way of sick children in Lagos State who require surgery for hernia, hydrocele and un-descended testes, among other abnormalities of the male genitalia.

The Outreach Medical Services, through its foundation, Anu Dosekun Foundation (ADF) is collaborating with some senior health care practitioners at Kings College Hospital Denmark Hill, United Kingdom (UK) to organise a surgery programme aimed at restoring life to sick children. The programme is slated for early next year.

The hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Efunbo Dosekun said the experts will carry out the surgeries on the children alongside their Nigerian counterparts.

Dr Dosekun said the future of the country will be bleak if children are neglected, adding that Asia has experienced transformation because it took the issue of child care seriously.

The programme, she said, would put smiles on the faces of children suffering from some diseases.

The state of infants, she said, is deplorable, adding that the country’s health ranking of 187 out of 191 countries that lag behind in health issue has left much to be desired.

She called for the integration of primary, secondary and tertiary health care into treatment plan, stressing that this would ensure access to care for sick babies and infants.

Dr Dosekun, who has put in more than 35 years as a paediatrician, said the experts will work with the federal and state government-owned hospitals to select those who would benefit from the programme.

She urged corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals to support the programme so that life can be meaningful for the children.

“It is a bi-lateral engagement. So, we need to raise some funds so that the mission can be effective. We are going to be working with politicians, academics and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), among others, to return hope to the children,” she said.

The paediatrician said the experts from the UK will also build the capacity of Nigerian surgeons on new vascular access technique, especially paediatrics surgeries.

Dr Dosekun said her organisation is organising a dance drama to be staged by the Society of Performing Artists of Nigeria (SPAN), under the leadership of Mrs Sarah Boulous on Saturday to create awareness on the programme.

Source: TheNation, HWN Africa.