23rd November, 2017
Concerned by the increasing number of Nigerians suffering from hernia, and women with fibroids, a frontline health-care centre committed to grassroots healthcare delivery, is making efforts to address and reduce the incidence in the country.
Shonowo Hospital has provided an opportunity for free hernia and lump removal surgeries for 200 patients, as part of its commitment to making health care affordable and available to low –income Nigerians.
Medical Director, Shonowo Hospital, Agege, Lagos, Dr Samson Shonowo, speaking at the second edition of the annual official opening of free surgery programme, noted that “Hernia is a common condition in our environment and constitutes a serious problem in the male population. Complications are frequently seen in the rural areas due to gruelling physical activity like farm work, many of these is life -threatening and the cost of operation is not readily affordable to many”.
Dr Shonowo disclosed that in the first edition of the free hernia and lump removal surgery programme in November last year, 100 free surgeries were done, but due to the large number of patients who still need help, it was necessary to increase the number of beneficiaries this year.
According to him, one of the objectives of the free surgery program is to contribute to the community by providing health care solutions that low income members of that community might not be able to otherwise afford.
“Today, we have 200 patients in our list for free surgery. These patients were screened and selected over the course of two months after registering at the hospital. We had over 800 applications and 200 patients with the most severe cases were selected and surgeries will be carried out at zero cost, while beneficiaries are contacted and surgery dates scheduled by the hospital.” Says Dr Shonowo.
The surgery session officially opened on the 15th November and will close at the end of the year.
Mr Shamsudeen Liasu , a beneficiary who spoke on behalf of others, appreciated Doctor Shonowo , and the medical team for providing the free hernia surgeries.