he Citizens of Ogun State, Nigeria, enjoyed the benefits of one of the American traditions, volunteerism, from a group of American-based Medical experts, Surgeons, Gynecologist, Nurses, Physical Therapist, in a marathon medical service to the people of Ogun State, this past week, led by yours truly. The exercise emanated from Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the Executive Governor of Ogun State's visit to Atlanta in July 2005. In an effort to bring adequate and immediate free medical services to address the needs of Ogun citizens, the program was put together within two months. The Medical Team members were drawn from the States of Texas, Tennessee, Maryland and Georgia.

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The location of the Medical service was at the State General Hospital, Sokenu, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The team arrived Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, Friday, September 30, 2005, and started work on Saturday, with full surgeries on Sunday, October, 2, 2005, till 1:00 p.m., Friday October 6, 2005. During the six-day exercise, the Surgeons successfully conducted 72 surgeries within five and half days working from about 8:00pm till 8:00p.m. at night.

Two of the Surgeons on the team, Dr. Steven Glorsky, and Dr. Muyiwa Adedokun worked on various cases of hernotomy for children ages from 3 month to ten years with hernia; herniorrhaphy for hernias in adult of ages from 16-80 years old; excisional Biopsies consisting of breast lump form and Lipoma, Ganglion, and Laparotomy for perforated appendix with intraperitonial pus. Dr. Afam Ikejiani, the Gynecologist on the Team, assisted by Teresa Carter, one of the Team member, a Surgical Assistant, for the Obstetrics and Gynecology team, worked on myomectomy for uterine fibroid, vaginal hysterectomy, manual evacuation for incomplete abortion, and a case of imperforate Hymen.

Throughout the surgeries, with gratitude to God, there was neither a single mortality nor morbidity reported. It was an exciting exercise for Dr. Steven Glorsky, who has been looking forward to visit African Continent, especially Nigeria and render such service to the needy people of Ogun State. Dr. Steven Glorsky surprised every one during the celebration of the Nigeria 45th Independence anniversary at the Abeokuta Stadium when he publicly announced his name as Ifawumi, to the applause of the audience in the stadium. Probing him further his wife, Dr. Glorsky, gave it to him.

Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Iyabode Obasanjo-Bello worked very hard with the Team to make the Mission a success. On her regular visit to the team both at the Hotel, Hospital, dinner table, with the team visit to her office, she encouraged the team in their productive medical mission. She joined the Team members on their dinner table at the end of their humanitarian work to assess the team work, their observations, suggestions, and clarifications of their concerns. It was a thought provoking dinner dialogue between the Commissioner and the Medical Team.

Otunba Gbenga Daniel, as usual, would like to see the Team back in Ogun State, "as soon as yesterday". Both at the breakfast and at the farewell dinner with the team and the home team at the Government lounge, Abeokuta, he sincerely shared his appreciation, on behalf of citizens of Ogun State, for the honor done the State by the Medical Team. His appeal to the Team to extend its stay for another week was met with the promise of making it back to Ogun State soonest.

According to Dr. Glorsky, the Mission was a fulfilling exercise for him, and a life opportunity for him to be able to give back to the needy community. The dedication and devotion of the two surgeons on the Team was amazing. They never complained of the number of patients assigned to them each day. Each time you gave additional patient, it was received positively. Dr. Muyiwa Adedokun returned from Nigeria in August on a private visit and he turned around to go back for the Medical Mission to Ogun State, is highly laudable.

The Physical Therapist, Dr. Kamaldeen Sanni, among the team engaged himself in series of lectures for the Physiotherapy Department of the Hospital, with the guidance from Dr. Aigoro, Chief Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, and Director of Ogun State Accident Services.

The team members were well received by the home team led by Dr. J. K. Coker, Consultant Surgeon, and Chief Matron of the Hospital, Mrs. Holia Sojobi. The Local Team of the Hospital in Ijaye viewed the Medical Mission positively, with the fact that they were able to work side by side with the US based Medical practitioners.

Graciously the Medical Team was able to understand the need for a continuous cooperation with the Developing countries in the area of medical services, especially on infrastructure, hand-on medical equipments and a sort of on-going continuing education for the home based medical personnel.

The Nigerian Women Association of Georgia volunteered some of its members to be part of the Medical Mission to Ogun State. Florence Okafor, the Chair of Health Committee, Vicky Agbatutu, Julie Ajayi, and Ola Adigun.

While treating the Team to a parting lunch at his residence in Lagos, Ambassador Joe Keshi, the immediate past Nigerian Consulate General in Atlanta, currently in the Office of the Presidency, thanked the Team members for their volunteer services to Ogun State Government, while appealing to them to make it back to Nigeria soonest. In her own contribution, Mrs. Dayo Keshi, the first President of NWAG, was very thankful for making NWAG part of the team.

The success of this Medical Mission should be a challenge to Ogun Sate indigenes, like Isaac Ositelu has done in assisting the Coordinator to get the Mission a full support, to come together and assist their State government in any areas of the State needs, just for their people. Giving back to the community should be a thing of joy for any human being, especially the Ogun Citizens in Diaspora. There is much to be done in this direction.

While the Medical Mission Coordinator and Team leader is planning to go back, he is hoping to find Ogun citizens to join him in the forth-coming Mission. Ogun State needs more Medical Missions to serve those that have no means of getting the medical services needed.

The Medical Mission on Friday afternoon, October 7, 2005 made a brief visit to Sagamu Teaching Hospital. The inquisitive visit was based on one of the Surgeons interest, Dr. Steven Glorsky, in line with Ogun State Government's vision of developing a standard trauma center for the State, at Sagamu. Dr. Glorsky is interested in working with the State Government in developing the trauma center, and developing some courses along line this vision with Olabisi Onabanjo University, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Sagamu. Sagamu, located at the cross section of major roads connecting Lagos with the north and east, records the highest number of accidents in Nigeria, according to some reports. It is going to be an excellent location for a trauma center, according to Steven Ifawumi, and Dr. Iyabode Obasanjo-Bello.

The team also visited Dideolu Specialist Hospital at Ikenne, with an historical visit to Mrs. Awolowo, the widower of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who will be celebrating her 90th birthday in November this year (2005). It was a memorable visit. Dideolu Specialist Hospital, with very standard structure and modern equipments, is unfortunately under utilized. It has a helicopter landing space that could facilitate airlifting of patients, especially the elites, or any victims to the center, for immediate treatment, instead of flying them overseas. Hopefully something positive would come out from the Team's visit to Ikenne.

As the Team coordinator and leader, I was very thankful to Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Ogun State Executive Governor, Auntie Iyabode Obasanjo-Bello, Health Commissioner, Dr. M. T. Olowonyo, the Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Hospitals Management Board, who is also an OB/GYN, and the Staff of Ogun State Ministry of Health, Dr. Aigoro, Dr. Coker, Surgeon, Holia Sojobi, Chief Matron and their staff for their professionalism and prompt attendance to the needs with their fullest cooperation to the Medical Team. They are a set of highly devoted staff of the Theater Section of the Hospital.

The Mission is an eye opener for Nigerians that nothing is too little for the country. Whatever little contribution Nigerians made to their communities would go a long way in sustaining the life of Nigerians. Getting boreholes for institutions such as Hospitals for a continuous water flow through the pipe, providing 'life' generators to ease Hospital services, making the Hospital work paperless by donating computers, or some 'portable' hospital equipments, or even proving continuing education for Hospital personnel through seminars would help Nigerians in adequate health services. Waiting for any Nigerian government to provide everything needed for Nigerians would be like waiting for ever. Any projects that would impact people DIRECTLY, such as this medical mission, is highly recommended and encouraged. Very fulfilling Mission.