HUMAN ORGANS STOLEN FOR SALE ABROAD: A Rejoinder to the Malicious Rumor against the Free Surgical Service being packaged by Hova’s Hospital, FESTAC.
I was pounding away on my laptop when the ping of a message
alert jolted me to attention. I picked up my phone and read the message. I was
appalled. Ignoring the message was the only option at that point in time as I
went back to work. My phone kept buzzing with pings but I decided to ignore
them until I was done with my work.
Hours later, I picked my phone and glanced through the
messages. I was more than taken aback when I saw two among the messages from
different persons broadcasting what I had earlier read and ignored.
The message read:
“Concerning the free surgery advert: "Please
don't advise anyone you know to go o. They are taking people's organs to resell
them overseas. That's what they do during their surgeries. Medical associations
are currently on the look out to prosecute such health service providers.''
In 2012, September to be precise, the 1st of such initiative
was spearheaded by Hosanna
Hospital at Festac,
supported by ARSPON (Association of Rural Surgical Practitioners of Nigeria) in
conjunction with a Local Government Councilor, Adetayo Adegbembo. The turnout
was unprecedented and it was a massive success. GRANDSCOPE Media was there live
and I personally interviewed the Councilor in question and covered proceedings.
The public was given details of activities and there was no single death
recorded for all the surgeries performed. 67 surgeries were performed in two
days, aside other treatments. Encomiums are still being showered on Hosanna Hospital, its Medical Director, Dr.
Chikodi Onyemkpa and the collaborators who made it happen.
Since another hospital wishes to do same for the public, we
see no reason why the initiative should be rubbished. The rumors and attacks
are uncalled for. If there was actually such practice of sale of human organs,
Nigerians and patients would have spoken out a long ago. Why is it coming out now on social
media when another initiative is about to start, if not because someone
somewhere feels uneasy about his profit dwindling as a result of the free
services. Grandscope fully supports this community initiative to help abate
health challenges for those who cannot afford the cost of proper medical
treatment and surgery.
The Medical Director of Hova’s Hospital, in an effort to
clear the name of her medical institution and charity organization, has denied
that the main purpose of her 'free' medical treatment is to harvest free organs
from poor patients in Nigeria, when reached on phone by Jagunmolu 'OluwaDare
Lasisi, a Journalist based abroad.
When asked to explain why and who started the smear campaign
to damage the reputation of their hospital since there is no smoke without
fire, Dr. O.P Ani reacted thus:
"My brother, I just don't know who started this rumor.
Our non-governmental organization is called 'Mission to Save Sight Africa' and we have a
website (www.mtssaf.org). Members of the State Security Service and some
officials from the Lagos
state government came here this morning (yesterday) to investigate. We have
nothing to hide. Nigerians always suspect free initiative."
So we enjoin you all to take advantage of this initiative which offers three days of
free surgeries such as Prostrate, Fibroid, Thyroid, Lumps, Hernia, Appendix, Hydrocele,
Virginal Prolepses etc at: The Hova's Place Hospital & Clinic 5TH AVENUE, T
- CLOSE, HOUSE 23, FESTAC Town, Amuwo Odofin, LAGOS.
Programme of Events:
Screening: 15th- 23rd July 2013.
Selection: 24th July
Surgeries: 25th - 27th July.
By Tayo Faloye.
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