Edna Specialist Hospital – a private facility in Surulere – and the Association of Residents Doctors from LUTH, Surulere in collaboration with Hon. Desmond Elliot of the Surulere constituency set up a 3-week free medical and surgical outreach for residents of the constituency.
The past three (3) years have been quite challenging for the world as nations struggle to control and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. These further brought the world to a realization of the critical impact health has on our existence. The strains on the health system also brought to fore the glaring gaps in equitable access to healthcare across the continent of Africa. As a large number of citizens in this part of the globe, especially in the non-formal sector, are still dependent on out-of-pocket payments for their healthcare.
This definitely is an uphill task in the face of unfavourable economic indices worsened by the pandemic for a larger part of the population. In recognition of these challenges; a number of public officials, NGO’s, cooperate organizations and health institutions continue to offer collaborative efforts to fill in the gaps for citizens who cannot conveniently afford the cost of their health care needs.
Edna Specialist Hospital is a multi-specialist female owned private health institution located in the heart of Surulere, providing affordable quality health care services. In its four (4) years of incorporation, the records of success are a testimony to the commitment of her founders to excellence in health care delivery. Their role in this ongoing outreach is mainly to offer succour to indigent patients/clients with surgical needs by providing free surgeries for cases of fibroids, lumps and hernias.
According to the Medical Director of the facility – Dr. Bisi Olanrewaju – during the flag off on the 28th of January 2022, she stated, “our hospital in its quest to continue to contribute positively to the health sector in Nigeria, participated wholesomely in this medical and surgical outreach… Since the beginning of the outreach about 2 weeks ago, we have done about 15 free surgical cases out of the 28 recruited so far. These cases include Myomectomy, Hernia, Lump excision, Huge inguinal hernias (Herniorapphy) with Cataract surgeries also ongoing”.
Furthermore, she highlighted that as the facility transitions from the foundational phase of cooperate existence to the growth and expansion phase, their goal remains to continually improve and extend the access to quality healthcare from primary care to specialty care and long-term care using a cradle to grave
approach.
On a final note, she commended the passion and commitment of the collaborators towards the set goals and success of project so far. Especially, members of the Association of Resident Doctors LUTH (ARD-LUTH) who sacrifice their time and skills towards the healthcare of the community, Honourable Olusola Desmond Elliot as well as other contributors for initiating and facilitating all aspects of the project.
