65 Children Receive Life-Changing Free Surgeries in Peter Obi Birthday Initiative

NDC Presidential Candidate Peter Obi has celebrated the successful completion of 65 free surgeries for children at Mother Mary Hospital in Isolo, Lagos, describing the initiative as a birthday gift dedicated to improving the lives of young patients.

Obi disclosed that he attended the programme’s final follow-up clinic and appreciation event on Wednesday, where the children who underwent surgery returned for post-operative assessments alongside their parents and the medical team that carried out the procedures.

According to the former Anambra State governor, all 65 surgeries were completed successfully, with the operations led by Dr. Folaseye Adebayo and her team. The procedures primarily involved adenotonsillectomy, a common operation used to remove enlarged or chronically infected tonsils and adenoids that can contribute to breathing difficulties, recurrent throat infections and sleep-related disorders in children.

Reflecting on the outreach, Obi said the most emotional moment came from listening to parents describe the changes they had already seen in their children’s health and daily lives following the surgeries. He expressed gratitude to the medical professionals, hospital management and everyone who supported the initiative, saying their collective effort made the project possible.

The humanitarian programme forms part of Obi’s longstanding emphasis on healthcare, education and social investment as pillars of national development. While the initiative was organised to commemorate his 65th birthday, he said birthdays should serve as opportunities to give back to society and create lasting impact, particularly for vulnerable families.

Mother Mary Hospital hosted both the surgical programme and the concluding appreciation ceremony, bringing together healthcare workers, beneficiaries and families to celebrate the outcome of the weeks-long medical intervention.

Beyond the birthday symbolism, the outreach highlights the growing role of privately supported medical initiatives in expanding access to essential healthcare for children, demonstrating how targeted partnerships between public figures and healthcare professionals can deliver tangible benefits to communities.