A team of highly skilled doctors from the United States of America will arrive Nigeria this weekend for a medical mission at Ile Ife, Osun State. The 20-man team of physicians, surgeons and medical support staff  is made up mostly of alumni of the Obafemi Awolowo University, formerly University of Ife.

Among other things, the week-long activities for the medical mission include free medical clinics at the Ooni’s palace; and a full day of “Campus” clinics,health fair, preventive/public health activities, including screenings for diabetes, hypertension and some communicable diseases.

According to the schedule, while the physicians are running the clinics, there will be simultaneous surgeries at designated centres within the University teaching hospital by the US-based surgeons and their Ife counterparts on cataract patients. There will also be laparoscopic procedures using top-notch, state of the art and cutting edge technology equipment brought from the US. According to the team, all surgeries will be conducted for free.

Also members of the team interested in teaching and giving lectures will be provided the opportunity to do so at the university. The team led by Dr Olabisi Jagun, who describes her role as “a fortunate one” is sponsored by the Mercy  Foundation (an Atlanta-based Nigerian  Philanthropic organization), Ifemed Alumni Association (USA),member physicians, Friends of Ifemed Physicians and Ife Ooye North America Association (IONA). “Our team is very excited and ready to go, and we are grateful for the wonderful opportunity to give back,” says Jagun.

She explains that “all our physicians and surgeons are brilliant and distinguished in their field  of expertise; a few of them are leading world experts; they have all been vetted and their licenses are current. It is estimated that during the mission, the team will see between 5,000 to10,000 patients and hand out over $150,000 worth of free medications and prescriptions.”

Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the university,who is planning many initiatives for the institution, says the medical mission is a great thing to happen to the university and Ile-Ife city. “It fills me with joy to see distinguished physicians and surgeons in the United States remember home for this kind gesture. The Council and the entire university are proud of this wonderful support”

NAN