Foundation performs free surgeries for over 3,000 Edo, Delta indigents 

A Benin, Edo State-based Foundation, the Dr Paddy Emmanuel Foundation, has said that in the last 10 years, over 3,000 indigent residents of Edo and Delta States have benefited from its free surgery exercises.

Speaking in Benin on Wednesday at the 10th edition of the free surgery exercise at PrimeDews Hospital, Amagba, Benin City, the Director General of the Foundation, Zion Oshiobugie, said that the first nine editions took place in Delta, while Edo residents were benefiting from the programme for the first time.

Oshiobugie added that the founder of the Foundation, Dr Paddy Iyamu, the current Edo State Commissioner for Education, embarked on the exercise 10 years ago to mark his birthday celebration every November 30.

According to him, “What he does is to mark his birthday on the 30th of November every year with the free surgeries which have benefitted 3000 persons. He wants humanity to benefit from his birthday instead of just partying.

“So, this programme, which takes place for one week every year, is borne out of love for humanity, which is in line with the motto of our Foundation, which is, “Touching lives”. 

“Every year, we partner with our surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, who brings his team from Lagos. He has been one of our partners and he is a respected member of the Nigerian Medical Association.

Dr Olowojebutu, while also speaking about the free surgery exercise, expressed joy at being called upon to discharge the humanitarian service, which he described as “life-changing surgeries on the people.” 

The surgeon added that he got the call to give back to society after he was involved in a ghastly motor accident, which almost claimed his life, years ago. 

“I am here with 24 members of my team from Lagos. We perform fibroid surgeries, which have allowed women to have their own children. We also perform hernia, lipemia, breast lump and other surgeries. 

“Last week, we got a text that one of the women we operated on in 2020 now has three kids. That means this intervention is creating relief for our people. 

“The focus is on the less privileged because when you do this, you give to God. Each year we come back, people give testimonies of the good things that have happened to them. 

The founder, Dr Iyamu, said that he established the Foundation because “life is all about giving back,” noting that he is happy to impact society.

“Life is all about what you can give back to the people because you come with nothing, and you go back with nothing. I have been giving back to society in the past 10 years and to impact the people. 

“This gesture is outside politics. We started as far back as 2014, and we have been doing it every year. Some persons who come from treatment tell you; they have not had food to eat, not to talk of getting money, which sometimes runs into millions to give to the doctor.

“The experience in the last 10 years has been fulfilling and impactful. I am happy to see burdens lifted off people.

“Life is vanity and when you are gone, you will be remembered for what you have done. I hope to continue till Jesus calls me.” Iyamu philosophised.

One of the beneficiaries, Nelson Ehigie, 19 years, who underwent a hernia surgery, thanked the Foundation for the free surgery.

“I am very grateful to the Dr. Paddy Foundation. My parents couldn’t afford the cost, so we had to come here for the surgery. God bless Dr. Iyamu,” Ehigie prayed.

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