A US-based Nigerian surgeon, Dr Oluyinka Olutoye, who successfully removed tumour from a baby in her mother’s womb has been commended by the Nigerian Federal Government.
In a statement in Abuja, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, said that the Nigerian Government and people were proud of Olutoye.
The statement was signed by Dabiri-Erewa’s Media Assistant, Mr Abdurrahman Balogun, on Tuesday.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that Olutoye and his partner, Dr Darrell Cass of the Texas Children’s Hospital, carried out the operation on a 23-week-old foetus in the U.S.
“The baby, Lynlee Hope, who suffered from a tumour known as Sacrococcygeal Teratoma, was removed from her mother’s womb, operated on, and returned to the womb.
“The baby got healed and continued to grow until she was finally delivered at 36 weeks.”
She stated that President Buhari received the news of Dr Olutoye’s feat with excitement and fulfilment and was looking forward to meeting him.
The special assistant commended Nigerians in the Diaspora for their roles in projecting Nigeria’s good image.
According to her, Nigerians in the Diaspora are a huge potential, playing great roles in all sectors.
“Nigerians are a great people, making greater positive impacts in all fields of human endeavour in the Diaspora. Dr Olutoye’s feat is one of such testimonies,” she said.
