OWODE-EDE, Osun State — More than 500 residents of Osun State are set to benefit from free eye and dental treatment through a medical outreach launched by the Osun Health Insurance Agency in partnership with Rotary clubs and the Rasaq Akindele Foundation.
The programme commenced on Monday, October 12, 2026, in Owode-Ede, following screenings that identified more than 300 people with eye conditions and over 200 with dental problems.
The Executive Secretary of the Osun Health Insurance Agency, Dr Rasaq Akindele, disclosed the figures while addressing journalists at the launch of the initiative.
He said approximately 150 beneficiaries require surgery and would receive the procedures free of charge.
According to Akindele, the initiative aims to assist residents who struggle to afford treatment for conditions affecting their eyesight and oral health.
Free Surgeries And Dental Procedures
The outreach covers cataract and pterygium surgeries, the provision of corrective glasses and several dental procedures.
Beneficiaries requiring dental care can access services including scaling and polishing, curettage and tooth extraction. Other reported 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 people living with serious health problems but unable to pay for treatment.
He said the organisers decided to intervene after witnessing the difficulties faced by residents with untreated eye conditions and severe dental problems.
The coordinator also stated that surgeries would begin on October 12, with treatment provided at no cost to beneficiaries who require the procedures.
Outreach Targets Vulnerable Residents
The organisers said the intervention was designed to improve access to essential healthcare, particularly for people whose financial circumstances prevent them from seeking timely treatment.
Untreated eye conditions can affect mobility, independence and the ability to work, while severe dental problems may interfere with eating and everyday activities.
The programme is intended to address some of these challenges by connecting affected residents with medical professionals and providing treatment without charging beneficiaries for the covered services.
As part of the wider outreach, the medical team also plans to visit correctional facilities in Osun State to distribute reusable sanitary pads to female inmates, promoting menstrual hygiene and dignity.
Osun Government Commends Initiative
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr Adekunle Akindele, commended the organisers for supporting healthcare delivery in the state.
The governor’s representative said the programme reflected efforts to improve residents’ health and make essential services more accessible to people who might otherwise struggle to afford them.
The organisers called on individuals, corporate organisations and government institutions to support similar interventions aimed at improving access to healthcare for vulnerable populations.
The outreach adds to previous health interventions in Osun, including the Imole School Eye Health Programme, which the PUNCH newspaper reported had provided eye treatment to more than 42,000 pupils in public primary and secondary schools across the state.
The current programme is expected to run from October 12 to 14, 2026, according to reports on the initiative.
