BENEFICIARIES of the health support of Dr Abbey Akinoshun Foundation (DAAF) have lauded the foundation for its intervention for indigent Ibadan residents.
On May 17, officials of the foundation were again at the Adeoyo Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan, Oyo State, for their periodic visit and support to those having challenges to fund their treatment.
Among the patients were four babies being treated for infections and whose parents were buying drugs worth about N4,500 per day.
Another case was that of a 12-year-old boy who suffered a broken leg while playing football.
At the donation of money worth over N400,000 to the patients, the project director of DAAF, Mr Adewale Onipede, who spoke on behalf of Dr Akinoshun, said the Oyo State government has provided world-class health facilities as well as seasoned medical personnel for its people, “but patients still need support when they have been attended to by doctors.
He said: “Most of these patients need to buy drugs which they use daily and that is why DAAF is contributing its quota towards supporting these indigent patients.
“We realise that the government cannot do everything alone, and that is why organizations like DAAF step in to support for the benefit of indigent people.
“Apart from the health sector, DAAF is also active in education, supporting the alma maters of the founder. Through this, DAAF assists by buying books and providing uniforms for pupils.
“Being a former sports prefect of Lagelu Grammar School, Dr Akinoshun also supports the school’s sports teams. He has also contributed to different projects going on in the school.
“He believes that what he is doing will spur the younger generation to also think of giving back to their alma maters.
“It is also hoped that well-to-do individuals and organisations in the society can channel their resources for the benefit of humanity.”
Appreciating DAAF and its founder, mother of one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ibidunni Jimoh, said she had spent a lot of money treating an infection her one-year-old boy contracted.
“We buy drugs everyday; I am a food vendor, while my husband is an okada operator, so you can imagine how much we had spent buying drugs worth about N4,500 every day.
“We were just lucky that officials of DAAF foundation came around today and my baby happened to be one of the beneficiaries. I can’t thank DAAF enough as the money provided for us will help us complete the drugs we are buying for the baby.”
Mother of another beneficiary, Mrs Rashidat Adigun, also thanked DAAF for coming to her daughter’s aid.
“When we were finding it difficult to raise money to buy drugs, someone told us that anytime officials of DAAF come around, we should reach out to them for support and we were so lucky when they came for their visits.
“They [DAAF] assisted us by giving us the money to buy the medications for my daughter. If it was not for the organisation, I just can’t imagine where we would raise the money during this period, especially going by the economic situation in the country.
“Everybody is struggling for daily living, so it will be difficult for someone to loan one money to pay hospital bills or buy medications,” Mrs Adigun said.
For Ayo, a 12-year-old boy, DAAF’s intervention saved his leg; he had broken his leg while playing football and after a while, it began swelling, so he was taken to the hospital. After being treated, he needed to buy some medications to support faster healing of the bone.
His mother, who said the money to buy medication was something the family could not afford.
“When I was thinking about how to raise the money to buy drugs for my son, the DAAF team came around. I saw how they were going from bed to bed, asking for what patients need.
“I believe God directed them to my son as well and they supported us with money to procure drugs for him; I was really surprised by this act of kindness. I never knew there are still people in this country that support the underprivileged in this manner,” she said, just as she prayed for the founder of the organisation, Dr Akinoshun, that God will continue to surprise him.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Bukola Ayinde, commended DAAF for the support, adding that the gesture goes a long way in easing the burden of parents.
“Nobody plans to visit the hospital; it is something that happens unexpectedly and most times when one has cause to come, one may not have money, so this is the reason many struggle to raise money for the treatment of their wards.
“DAAF’s support, however, goes a long way in helping people in distress; it is one thing to be thinking about the health of one’s child and it is another to be thinking about how to raise the money to take care of that child.
“What DAAF is doing is really commendable and it is hoped that more wealthy individuals can also come to the aid of the underprivileged in the society.
“While DAAF is focusing on healthcare, others can also look at other areas; this is the only way we can assist ourselves; government is trying, but it cannot do everything alone and that is why people like Dr Akinoshun should be celebrated and applauded for their positive contributions to the society.”
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