After unsuccessful efforts to secure redress through the Federal Ministry of Health, Ayoola Idowu is now appealing for public support to undergo eye surgery in India.

On April 19, 2021, Idowu underwent a keloid surgery at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Ondo State. Following the successful procedure, he was referred to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, for radiotherapy.

According to Idowu, he had normal vision before the treatment.

On April 21, 2021, he underwent a radiotherapy session at UCH, Ibadan. He alleged that improper handling of the radiotherapy machine resulted in severe damage to his eyes, eventually leading to blindness.

It was alleged that the outcome resulted from negligence and failure to adhere to proper procedures.

Recounting the incident, Idowu said he was placed inside the radiotherapy machine without adequate protection for his eyes. He explained that during the first session, neither his face nor eyes were covered. During the second session, his face was covered. By the third day, he said he had lost sight in his right eye. Five days later, he lost sight in both eyes.

He alleged that he reported the matter to staff of the Radiotherapy Department, but they declined responsibility for the injury.

On September 17, 2024, a panel was reportedly constituted after Citizens Rights International for Human Rights and Justice petitioned the Radiotherapy Department over the alleged negligence. However, Idowu said no report of the panel’s findings had been made available.

Speaking with The Guardian, he said: “I’ve been indoor since 2021 after I lost my sight through UCH, Ibadan. UCH Ibadan damaged my sight and we have been on the case with the Federal Ministry of Health but no positive result.

“The Ministry of Health has been promising that they will get back to me each time we contact them since 2024. I started writing the ministry in 2021 but they didn’t respond and only responded for the first time in 2024 when a human rights group wrote to them. We have been on the case ever since.

“I sold my house; my wife’s shop became empty just to survive. I need help because I know when there is life, there is hope.

“An Indian hospital told me that they can get my sight restored. So, I need public donation which will cost $12,000 (N18 million).”

Responding, the Chief Medical Director of UCH, Ibadan, Jesse Otegbayo, said: “His matter is at the level of the Minister of Health who had previously intervened in the matter.”

Idowu can be reached on +2348031117606. His bank details are: Sterling Bank, Account Number: 0045081436, Account Name: Ayoola Idowu Oluwasonmi. (Guardian)

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