More than 500 residents of Osun State are set to benefit from free eye and dental treatment under a medical outreach launched by the Osun Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA), Rotary clubs and the Rasaq Akindele Foundation.
The initiative commenced on Monday, October 12, 2026, in Owode-Ede, offering cataract and pterygium surgeries, corrective glasses and dental procedures to residents who might otherwise struggle to afford treatment.
The Executive Secretary of OSHIA, Dr Rasaq Akindele, disclosed that more than 300 people with eye conditions and over 200 with dental problems had been screened ahead of the commencement of treatment.
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He said approximately 150 beneficiaries were initially identified as requiring surgical intervention, assuring them that eligible procedures would be performed free of charge.
“To the glory of God, we have successfully screened over 300 persons with eye defects and over 200 persons with dental issues. That is a total of over 500 beneficiaries who walked into our screening centres with pain and are now filled with hope,” Akindele said.
He added that the surgeries would commence immediately, with the organisers committed to ensuring that financial difficulties did not prevent beneficiaries from receiving necessary treatment.
Cataract surgery, dental treatment included
The programme covers cataract and pterygium surgeries, the provision of corrective eyeglasses and several dental procedures, including scaling and polishing, curettage and tooth extraction.
Additional treatments include glass ionomer cement fillings and composite build-up.
Akindele explained that the initiative followed visits by Rotarians to eye and dental clinics and correctional facilities across the state, where they encountered elderly residents, young people and other vulnerable individuals living with untreated conditions.
Some patients struggled with deteriorating eyesight, while others experienced severe dental problems that affected their ability to eat comfortably.
The outreach was organised through collaboration between OSHIA, the Rasaq Akindele Foundation and six Rotary clubs in Osun State.
The organisers also planned follow-up care to monitor beneficiaries after treatment and support their recovery.
Adeleke commends healthcare partnership
Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by his Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr Adekunle Akindele, commended the participating organisations for supporting access to healthcare.
The governor said the initiative reflected the importance of partnerships between government agencies, charitable organisations and service groups in extending essential medical services to people who might otherwise be unable to afford them.
He also praised the programme’s menstrual hygiene component, describing it as an intervention that promotes dignity, confidence and the well-being of women and girls.
As part of the wider initiative, organisers announced plans to distribute reusable sanitary pads to female inmates in correctional centres, addressing menstrual hygiene among a group that may face difficulties accessing essential supplies.
Akindele appealed to corporate organisations, government institutions and well-meaning Nigerians to support similar programmes.
Building on Osun’s school eye programme
The latest intervention builds on the state’s existing efforts to expand access to eye care.
In February 2025, OSHIA announced a school eye health programme targeting approximately 345,000 pupils in public primary and secondary schools.
The programme provided screening, medication and corrective glasses, while pupils with serious eye conditions were considered for further treatment and surgery.
More than 42,000 pupils had previously received free treatment under the initiative, according to earlier reports.
The new outreach extends attention beyond schoolchildren to other residents facing medical and financial difficulties.
With treatment now underway, the organisers’ next priority is to ensure that patients receive the procedures appropriate to their conditions and the follow-up care needed after treatment.
