A notable healthcare advancement has occurred in Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, courtesy of Oba Micah and Olori Moronke Ajijo Foundation.
The philanthropic foundation executed a dual humanitarian initiative, combining a major equipment donation with a large-scale medical outreach to address the community’s needs.
The event which happened on Saturday, January 10, witnessed the donation of a multi-million naira 4D ultrasound Doppler machine to the State General Hospital in Igbokoda. This state-of-the-art equipment is set to revolutionize diagnostic services at the facility, particularly for the riverine communities it serves.
Concurrently, the Foundation organized its annual free medical outreach in Igbokoda, providing essential care to over 1,000 indigent residents from across the area. This direct service component ensured immediate relief for a wide range of health conditions.
At the donation ceremony, Foundation President Mrs. Yetunde Obabunmi Obuotor framed the gift as a vital lifeline. “An ultrasound machine is not just a piece of equipment; it is a lifeline,” she stated, emphasizing its crucial role in maternal health, emergency care, and early diagnosis.
Obuotor explained the Foundation’s mission is to support underserved communities through partnerships. “We believe strongly that real development happens when we work together. Government alone cannot do it all,” she said, highlighting their focus on healthcare, education, and livelihood.
The Foundation’s Secretary, Folashade Ajijo, noted the initiative honors her parents’ legacy of community service. She added that formalizing their longstanding philanthropy into a foundation ensures “accountability, structure and sustainable impact” in their interventions.
Meanwhile, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by Health Commissioner Dr. Banji Ajaka, praised the donations as a major boost to state healthcare. He stressed the need for “proper use and maintenance” to preserve this “valuable investment” for long-term patient benefit.
Also, Dr. Edino Ezekiel, Chief Medical Director of Igbokoda General Hospital, detailed the machine’s advanced capabilities for scanning blood vessels and organs. He noted it will prevent patients from traveling long distances for specialized diagnostics.
The medical outreach, led by Dr. Babatunde Akinbinu, addressed chronic and acute conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and malaria. Over 40 healthcare workers, including a consultant ophthalmologist, provided free consultations, drugs, and specialist care.
Akinbinu revealed the Foundation spent millions to cover all costs, ensuring no fees for beneficiaries. Critically, patient data was captured to enable follow-up care in collaboration with local health authorities, aiming to prevent relapse from lack of sustained treatment.
This data-driven approach targets a key failing in rural healthcare. Akinbinu lamented that without resources, patients “may stop using their drugs or turn to unscientific traditional or herbal remedies,” which leads to worsened conditions and preventable deaths.
The initiative, therefore, combines immediate aid with a strategy for continuity. “We want to take care of people early, identify those with such illnesses, and manage them properly,” Akinbinu explained, outlining the program’s preventive philosophy.
Through this comprehensive effort, the Oba Micah and Olori Moronke Ajijo Foundation has delivered immediate medical relief while laying groundwork for improved, sustainable healthcare delivery in Ilaje’s underserved riverine communities.
