Obama's grandma visits Israeli hospital in Africa

 Sarah Obama has her eyes examined at Israeli medical facility in Equatorial Guinea, tells doctors: 'Everyone in Africa is talking about you' -

VIDEO - Will US President Barack Obama's grandmother help warm up the chilly relations between her grandson and the Netanyahu government? Sarah Obama recently visited the Israeli hospital in Equatorial Guinea as part of a special delegation and had her eyes examined.



The hospital was established about 18 months ago in the capital of Malabo by businesspeople Yardena Ovadia and Arie Horesh. It employs more than 100 doctors, nurses, and staff members – all of whom are Israeli.

An Israeli flag flies at the entrance to the building, and all the medical equipment is from Israel. Even some of the signs in the facility are in Hebrew.

Equatorial Guinea's president decided to name the hospital "Shalom," explaining that he hoped Israel would make peace with its neighbors soon.


The Israeli hospital, which provides medical services to residents of the third world country, recently received a special visit from a delegation led by Equatorial Guinea's health minister. The guest of honor was the leader of the free world's grandmother, who lives in the remote village of Kogelo in Kenya.

Sarah Obama had hardly left the village for years, but since her grandson's election in 2008 she has become an international celebrity. The decision to include her in the visit to the hospital was made by the Equatorial Guinean president.

Grandma Obama received the royal treatment from Ovadia and Horesh, hospital manager Dr. Michael Averbuch and the project's architect, Ehud Gefen.

During the visit she had an eye examination, and doctors determined she was suffering from an eyesight problem.

At the end of the visit Sarah Obama told the staff, "Everyone in Africa is talking about your hospital and about the fact that we no longer have to fly to Europe for medical care."

Businesswoman Yardena Ovadia said, "Grandma Obama is a charming personality, and it was very exciting having her here. We sent our regards to her grandson and invited him to visit as well."