UCH to perform 500 free cataract surgeries to honour Osuntokun — CMD

Prof. Temitope Alonge, the Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday said that the college was set to give free cataract surgeries to 500 indigent patients in November.
Alonge disclosed this at a public lecture organised by the Department of Ophthamology of the hospital in Ibadan.
The lecture was organised to honour Prof. Olabopo Osuntokun, an ophthalmologist, at 80.
Alonge said that the free surgeries would be done in all the optometrist clinics across Oyo State, adding that the department would soon take delivery of more surgical equipment to enable it embark on the programme.
Alonge said that cataract has been the leading cause of avoidable blindness, while the surgery stands to be the commonest major surgical procedure worldwide.
The CMD, while extolling the virtues of Osuntokun, said the standard set by her in the department had brought out the better part of UCH, in spite of the many challenges faced by the hospital.
Alonge said: “The Department of Ophthalmology has continue to provide high quality eye care to a large population, not only in the South-West but Nigeria in general.”
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Gbemisola Oke, described Osuntokun as an “unassuming, intelligent and humble’’ person.
Olayinka said that the ranking of the university as among the best in the world was not far from the contributions of those that have worked diligently to make it grow.
The VC said that people should not wait until the passing away of distinguished personalities before celebrating them.
The birthday lecture was entitled: “Lighten This Darkness.”
It was delivered by Dr. Toyin Fafowora, a consultant at the UCH.
According to Fafowora, there was no development in the western world that would not come to Nigeria in due season.
She said: “As Nigeria advances technologically, I have no doubt that we will, in time, make our own contributions to eye health technology in terms of intentions and patents.”
She said that the careful consideration of the eye care needs of people by Prof. Osuntokun had lightened the darkness of many people.
Dignitaries at the occasion included Prof. Bolanle Awe, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, Prof. Oladejo Akinkungbe and Prof. Oyinade Olurin.