Dr. Dayo Israel, the Chairman of the Board of Management at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, has secured an N8 million donation to cover the cost of a life-saving surgery for Rachel Idowu, a 16-year-old secondary school student diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.
Idowu, who has struggled with lung complications since birth, has faced significant challenges in her daily life, including difficulty with school participation and growth.
Her condition, which involves a hole in her heart, required urgent surgery, but the cost was beyond her family’s means.
According to a statement released by Dr. Segun Orisajo, the hospital’s Head of Information and Public Relations, the teenager’s fortune changed when Dr. Israel brought her case to the attention of his friend, Mr. Olawale Ayilara, the CEO of Landwey Investments.
Impressed by the gravity of the situation, Ayilara immediately offered to cover the full cost of the surgery, amounting to N8 million.
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Dr. Israel shared, “My very good friend, Mr. Ayilara, drove to the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta over the weekend to inspect the facility and discuss potential areas for collaboration. During his visit, I brought his attention to the case of the 16-year-old with a heart defect. He instantly paid the N8 million required for the surgery.”
Ayilara, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to assist, called on fellow Nigerians to support each other in times of need for a better society.
He said, “I thank God for the grace to be of help in such a dire situation and encourage others to do the same.”
Both Rachel Idowu and her mother, Mrs. Modupe Idowu, expressed deep gratitude for the donation, as they had feared they would never be able to afford the surgery.
Rachel’s mother noted, “We had lost every hope because there was no way we could have raised the surgery fee.”
Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu, the Medical Director of FMC Abeokuta, also praised the hospital’s efforts, revealing that FMC Abeokuta performs over 40% of all open heart surgeries in Nigeria. He further commended Dr. Israel’s leadership in pushing for the hospital’s growth and development.
Dr. Israel, in his statement, appealed for further support from Nigerians and corporate organisations to aid the hospital’s transformation into a world-class facility.
He thanked Ayilara not only for the donation but for his commitment to rebuilding and maintaining infrastructure at FMC Abeokuta.
Dr. Israel concluded, “I invite everyone to visit us and see how you can help us grow the Centre together.”
