By Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Over 3500 residents of Ogun State are set to benefit from a free eyes treatment and surgeries being championed by Hon. Jide Jones, a philanthropist and member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Jones has equally urged the Federal Government to increase its investment in the health sector of the country to stem the tide of medical tourism as well as the loss of fund associated with it.
Hon.Olumide Jones, made this disclosure on Thursday at Abeokuta, the state capital during the flag off of free eye treatment and surgeries for over 3500 beneficiaries.
He stressed that it was necessary for the Federal Government and the State Governments to upgrade and equipped all the Primary Health Care Centres for the benefit of the people, stressing that provision of basic health amenities are vital to public health.
Jones explained that many people in the society have minor issues with their eyes which can be corrected with eye drops and uses of glasses but lack of help aggravated it hence the need for the free eye project for them.
The philanthropist, who was represented by one of his aides, Olajumoke Masha said that the project would capture 3,000 persons for free eye test, eye drops and glasses and free cataract surgeries for 500 people.
He assured that he would continue to help the less privileged in society.
His words were, “Many people in the society today have one eye issue or the other and it is our resolve to help them.
“We are targeting 3,000 people for free eye test, free eye drop and distribution of free glasses to people. We are also going to do free cataract surgeries for 500 people.”
“There is need for Federal Government to do whatever it can do to improve the health sector by improving and equipping all our PHCs.
“We will continue to support our people in the society.”
Also speaking, the Senatorial Chairman, Ogun Central Senatorial District of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Akinlabi Taiwo described Jones’ gesture as philanthropic, stressing that the free eye project would in no small measures help the people of the society.
He, however, called on all other well meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture and give back to their societies, stressing that government cannot do it alone.
Elated about the kind gesture, two of the beneficiaries, Olalekan Abese and Adeyemi Adebola thanked the facilitator for the kind gesture.