Free Medical Outreach Hits Ekiti as Thousands Rush for Treatment

(Opeyemi Bamidele. Photo by NALTF)

Federal lawmakers from Ekiti State, under the leadership of Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, have launched a free medical outreach programme for residents of the state, with Bamidele framing it as an ongoing commitment to delivering real, felt governance rather than a one-time gesture.

The programme offers residents access to free medical consultations, health screenings, drugs, eyeglasses, and treatment for a range of conditions.

Patients whose needs go beyond what the outreach can handle will be referred to Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, where the state government has agreed to cover the associated costs.

Bamidele described the initiative as a deliberate effort to close healthcare gaps and reach vulnerable citizens who are most in need.

He noted that the programme was born out of a collaborative effort between Ekiti's federal lawmakers and the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

Adding that its launch during a politically active period was a conscious decision intended to demonstrate that governance must continue to serve the people regardless of the political climate.

The Managing Director of Rovalroche Hathaway Company Limited, Oluwaseye Babatunde, said the outreach was designed to restore hope and save lives, and confirmed that it would cover all 16 local government areas in the state, offering services ranging from diagnostic tests and eye surgeries to health education.

The ophthalmologist leading the medical team, Kamal Umar, highlighted the focus on eye health, particularly for those dealing with cataracts, glaucoma, and related conditions.

He noted that the team had already attended to over 2,000 patients, many of whom could not have afforded such care on their own.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who chairs the national campaign council for the upcoming Ekiti governorship election, commended the programme as a worthy model of citizen-centred governance.

He also praised ongoing health sector reforms in Ekiti, including the renovation of primary healthcare centres and the expansion of free services for vulnerable groups.

Governor Oyebanji, for his part, acknowledged the growing strain on health facilities brought about by increased access to services.

He revealed that his administration is committing approximately N1 billion to healthcare delivery and is actively recruiting more medical personnel with the support of federal lawmakers.

He encouraged residents across all communities to take full advantage of the outreach as it makes its way across the state.