BY AYO OYOZE BAJE
WHEN on September 12, this year, one Odunphoto Omolaja, an indigene of Ondo State, openly prayed: “God bless Governor Aiyedatiwa for his dedication to health sector in Ondo State.
“Our Ease has come,” he was speaking the mind of millions of the grateful indigenes of the Sunshine State.
Furthermore, he highlighted the fact that free surgeries were provided at the state Specialist Hospital to those much in need of it.
Though over 50 free surgeries were reportedly conducted within five days under the ‘AsiwajuDatiwa Festival’ as campaign slogan to raise a million votes for President Bola Tinubu in next year’s general election, as promised by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, that is but a tip of the iceberg, with regards to his praiseworthy achievements in the state’s health sector.
In fact, so important is the critical issue of quality healthcare delivery to the governor that potable water supply and healthcare delivery received additional funding in the this year’s budget.
That review in the budget followed a mid-year assessment of the 2026 Appropriation Law, assented to on December 29, last year, and took effect on January 1, this year.
A closer look at his achievements in the health sector include the employment of over 3000 health workers, with the ongoing construction of 500 bedded wards across hospitals in the state.
There is also the purchase of CT scan, mammography machine and MRI for Unimedthc, while contractors have been paid, awaiting installation.
This, interestingly, happens to be the first time this is taking place in the history of Ondo state. Remarkable, is this not?
Of course, it is.But there is more to it than meets the eye. For instance, the purchase of 12 modern ambulances and a brand new HILUX (newly purchased HILUX for HMB) for hospitals across the state, is serving as much-needed catalysts for improved healthcare delivery.
So is the renovation of over 100 primary health centers across the state, along with ongoing renovation of some state specialist and general hospitals across the state.
Meanwhile, the refurbishing of over 28 vehicles (ambulances and Hilux vehicles) belong to the Health Management Board (HMB).
Stretching the healthcare service delivery to a higher level has come into being with the completion of abandoned general hospital at Agbakada (abandoned for 16 years) and approval of Ondo State School of Nursing at Ilaje local council, with free surgeries for indigent citizens through the festival of surgery.
Worthy of note is the health insurance coverage for pensioners, members of Amotekun Corps and others in the state.
And coming at a time of the revitalisation of the state drugs and commodity agency, with two brand Hiluxes vans, were given to the agency.
With several millions of naira as seed funds, it is patently clear that Ondo State, under the visionary, caring and compassionate leadership of Aiyedatiwa stands tall amongst his peers on walking the talk on healthcare delivery, knowing that when all is said and don, health is wealth.
That perhaps, explains the rationale for the construction of several lecture theatres at Ondo State School of Health Technology, along with the approval of Grade Level 17 for Ondo state pharmacists. And that makes history as the first of its kind in the history of Ondo state.
Yet, there are other firsts recorded. For instance, payment of federal government salary structures for the state health workers, and conversion of over 800 casual members of staff at HMB to permanent staff are amongst the feats.
Similarly, the two oxygen plants at Ondo State’s hospitals specifically that at SSH, Okitipupa, and SSH, Akure, makes Ondo State as one of the few states in Nigeria that do not buy oxygen from vendors. In fact, the federal hospitals in Ondo state now buy oxygen from the state hospitals.
That is truly commendable.It would be recalled that at the ceremony, tagged, ‘Ondo Expands Health Insurance for Vulnerable Groups,’ Commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka, who represented the governor, presented cheques to beneficiaries in Akure.
The governor stated that 33 residents benefited from a similar intervention back in 2025 when N39 million was disbursed.
The assistance was a humanitarian initiative aimed at saving lives and carried no ethnic, religious or political considerations. That is most inspiring and life-saving.
“This is an increase of N10million. It was N39million to 33 beneficiaries in 2025 and N49million to 43 beneficiaries in 2026,” Aiyedatiwa
Hr explained that applicants must obtain a letter from the doctor who diagnosed their condition, along with estimates of the treatment costs.
“To benefit as a patient, get a letter from the doctor who diagnosed you, together with the medical estimates. There is a Board of Medical Inquiry that will call everyone for an interview,” the governor stated.
Aiyedatiwa stressed that approval depended on thorough verification of each applicant’s medical condition and financial needs.“Obtaining the fund is based on verification of your condition. It is a very thorough process. You do not need to know anybody,” he said.
The governor urged beneficiaries to utilise the funds strictly for their medical treatment to achieve the intended objective.
He also encouraged residents to enrol in the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission’s insurance scheme for sustainable healthcare financing.
“That is the way to go because medical assistance is not something that will be sustainable,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Elder Henry Ojagbonmi and Mrs. Iyabode Bolajoko commended the governor for the intervention, saying the support would ease their suffering and promised to use the funds solely for their medical treatment.
Going forward, considering the revitalisation of Ondo state emergency services ( ODEMSA), along with government increasing Healthcare Support for Residents with the release of N49million to offset medical bills for 43 residents suffering from serious health conditions, it is now obvious why analysts regard Aiyedatiwa as Nigeria’s numero uno political leader in the nation’s challenging healthcare sector.
