On this year’s Children’s YELOTO African Children’s Foundation, has offered free surgeries for 25 less privileged children at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, even as it handed over cheques for other children whom their conditions do not require surgery.

Twenty of the children had cataract surgeries while five had various paediatric surgeries.

Mother of one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Idowu Oyebola said she had tried all she could to alleviate the suffering of her child who was born with an eye defect without success. “She was born with the eye problem and I was later referred to LASUTH for medical treatment where I was told that my child would need a surgery.

“I was speechless because I don’t have such money for the treatment but later this group of young people just came to my aid without asking any money from me,” she said.

Partial blindness

For Mrs Sarah Mathew, a widow with a daughter that developed partial blindness, said she lost her husband when the daughter was just three years.

“As my daughter is growing up we discovered that she has developed cataract and we will need about N60, 000 for the surgery which I have no idea where I could get it from. I am very grateful to this group that came to my rescue,” she added.

Speaking during the tour of LASUTH Paediatric ward and formal presentation of the beneficiaries President of YELOTO, Dr .Oluyemi Olaiwaye, said that providing more funding for the scheme would alleviate the sufferings of affected children.

“Olaiwaye who is also a Clinical Pharmacist stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to deliver children from various forms of underdevelopment.

“You don’t have to be a millionaire before you could give back and to help. Saving one’s life is a big deal and we need to cultivate the culture.”

“For us at YELOTO we are providing 25 surgeries and we have already have about 50 surgeries one free of charge since its inception. Last year, the group sponsored a surgery for a baby without anus and for us it is the joy we put in the hearts of the family that keeps us going.”

Continuing, Olawaiye added that the ultimate aim of the group was to build a world class children hospital in Lagos in partnership with the state government.

“We want a world standard children hospital where children could get treatment without travelling abroad. A place of succour where everybody can come at the minimum expenses even where Siamese twins can be operated without sending them abroad.