Our last Medical Mission, led by Dr. Bisi Jagun took place between March 30 and April 12, 2019 and spanned 3 different States and 11 local government areas of Nigeria. The mission was organized by Mercy Said No Foundation in collaboration with IFEMED Alumni, Royal Wellness International, Operation Healthy Africa and other Friends of IFEMED. Many on this team are also members of ANPA (Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas), notably, Dr. Bisi Jagun, Dr. Dapo Popoola, Dr. Wale Okunlola, Dr. Olusanya Rufai, Dr. Dapo Williams and Dr. Alaba Fawole.
We served an average of about 500 underprivileged people in each of the eleven (11) local government areas that we visited. Every mission started off with a health lecture teaching the indigents how to prevent diseases and manage their chronic conditions. Ophthalmologists from Eletta Eye Institute performed about 50 cataract surgeries while Opticians and Optometrists from Precious Sight Foundation tested people for eye problems and distributed hundreds of eye glasses. We saw and treated several dental patients for many conditions and gave out tooth brushes and floss. A notable case was a woman with Ameloblastoma (see pictures) who was referred to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex for surgery with Royal Wellness International defraying part of the cost of surgery. Dental students from Obafemi Awolowo University also came to watch dental procedures being performed and got hands on training too. Many children were blessed with the toys donated by various organizations.
We later visited Obafemi Awolowo University where 4 US based medical practitioners from different specialties gave lectures to Medical and Dental students. We met with the University leadership to discuss partnership endeavors, continuity and sustainability of healthcare in Nigeria. We also met with traditional rulers who are the executive heads of towns and villages and also met with the Governor of Osun State to discuss plans for continuity of healthcare delivery to citizens even beyond the medical mission.
In October 2019, some OHEF board members met with the Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Professor Abiodun Otegbayo to discuss how to collaborate on the exchange of medical knowledge and skills between expatriate medical personnel and local healthcare practitioners. One of the goals of OHEF is to facilitate this exchange of expertise so that practitioners may be abreast of innovative procedures with the outcome of lives being saved from dreadful diseases by early detection.
December 2018, we launched our OHEF building in Ibadan, Nigeria.
