By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area, Dr. Seyi Jakande, has launched a free healthcare initiative with the enrolment of 1,000 vulnerable residents, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to equitable and accessible healthcare.
Speaking at the launching of the programme, Jakande said the initiative underscores a pivotal moment in the council’s governance journey, aimed at ensuring that no resident, regardless of social or economic status, is denied quality healthcare, noting that the scheme forms part of the broader HEEWA Agenda focused on people-centred development.
Describing health as the foundation of societal progress, the Chairman stressed that the programme was not merely symbolic but a deliberate policy intervention designed to improve the well-being of residents.
“As we say in Yoruba, ‘Ilera l’oro,’ meaning health is wealth. Without good health, every aspiration becomes a challenge, and every dream faces limitations,” he said.
He explained that the healthcare plan would provide beneficiaries with free medical consultations, maternal and child healthcare services, and preventive medical examinations, adding that the initiative represents “compassion transformed into tangible impact.”
Jakande further emphasised that the programme should not be viewed as charity but as a matter of social justice.
“Let me be clear: this initiative is not an act of charity; it is an act of justice,” he stated, adding that the council remains committed to building a sustainable healthcare system that caters to all residents.
In addition, he disclosed that a new primary healthcare centre had been completed in Kayode to expand access to medical services, stressing that no resident should be denied care due to financial constraints or distance.
He said the administration was also raising standards across health facilities through the training of personnel, upgrading of equipment, and the introduction of an Electronic Medical Records system in all primary healthcare centres to enhance efficiency and patient care.
While highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare, Jakande noted that the council was intensifying community outreach programmes, immunisation campaigns, health education, and regular screenings to promote early detection and reduce disease burden.
He recalled a recent free medical outreach organised in collaboration with Eko Club Atlanta and Precious Sight Foundation UK, which provided treatment and free eyeglasses to over 1,000 residents.
Addressing beneficiaries, the chairman described the healthcare card as a symbol of hope and government support.
“This card symbolizes more than just healthcare; it embodies hope and assurance. It signifies that your government recognizes your needs and stands in with you,” he said.
He also commended partners and stakeholders for their support, noting that sustained collaboration would be key to expanding the initiative and strengthening the healthcare system.
Jakande urged residents to see the programme as a renewed demonstration of purposeful leadership, assuring that the initiative marks only the beginning of broader interventions.
“As we commence the enrollment of these 1,000 free healthcare plans for the vulnerable, let it be known that this is merely the beginning. More lives will be transformed, more families will be protected, and more hope will be rekindled,” he said.
