Large Turn Out for Free Medical Outreach as Oyo State Marks 50th Anniversary
Residents of Oyo State, especially children and adults aged 50 and above, on Tuesday participated in a free medical outreach organised across all 33 local government areas as part of activities marking the state’s 50th anniversary.
The healthcare services were conducted simultaneously at Primary Healthcare Centres statewide, offering consultations and free medications to beneficiaries.
The outreach formed part of the second day of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Governor Seyi Makinde had officially launched the anniversary programme on Monday at the International Conference Centre in Ibadan.
A week-long schedule of events was earlier unveiled, featuring religious services, cultural displays, a public lecture and an awards and dinner night.
As part of the anniversary preparations, Makinde appointed former House of Representatives member Saheed Fijabi to chair the 11-member planning committee.
Tuesday’s outreach witnessed a large turnout in parts of Ibadan metropolis, where residents gathered at designated health centres to access the free services. Members of the planning committee, led by Fijabi, visited several locations to assess the delivery of care.
Speaking after receiving treatment at a Primary Healthcare Centre in Bashorun, Fijabi said the decision to prioritise free healthcare was based on the belief that good health is central to human wellbeing and societal progress.
“The residents across all local governments have been responding positively to the outreach, with people from different age groups, young and old, trooping out to access the free services,” he said.
“The turnout is impressive. The programme is timely and relevant, and it reflects the compassionate vision of Governor Makinde, who insisted that the healthcare services be provided free of charge to ease the burden on citizens.”
He added that the initiative was a way of giving back to the people who have sustained the state over the past five decades, noting that no society can flourish with an unhealthy population.
Fijabi also said the outreach demonstrated that the Golden Jubilee celebration was designed not only for festivities but also to deliver tangible benefits to residents.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Broadcast, Bose Sodiq, described the programme as a deliberate intervention to assist residents who often avoid medical treatment due to financial challenges.
“Many Nigerians live with untreated health conditions because they cannot afford medical bills. The free services were introduced to encourage people to check their health status and seek timely medical care without fear of cost,” she said.
She urged residents yet to participate to take advantage of the initiative, stressing that services at all designated centres were completely free.
Some residents from Alafara, Bashorun and Oranyan communities who benefited from the outreach expressed gratitude to the state government, describing the exercise as timely and impactful.
