*As Aiyedatiwa hails Foundation’s humanitarian services
By Adeyinka Adeniran
Non Governmental Organisation, Oba Micah and Olori Moronke Ajijo Foundation, has donated a multi-million naira 4D ultrasound Doppler Machine to the State General Hospital, Igbokoda.
The move is to give a major boost to healthcare delivery in Ilaje local government area of Ondo State.
Additionally, no fewer than 1,000 indigenes and residents of the communities benefitted from the annual free medical outreach organised by the Foundation in Igbokoda.
Speaking at the donation of the equipment at an event which took place at the hospital ground, the President of the foundation, Mrs. Yetunde Obabunmi Obuotor said the equipment was donated to help save lives.
According to her, the 4D ultrasound Doppler machine would strengthen diagnostic capacity and also improve healthcare delivery in the area.
She said, ”An ultrasound machine is not just a piece of equipment, it is a lifeline. It plays a crucial role in maternal and child health, emergency care, and early detection of medical conditions.”
Obuotor who appreciated the stakeholders at the event, including Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said, “I am deeply honoured and truly grateful to stand before you today on this meaningful occasion—the donation of an ultrasound machine to Igbokoda General Hospital.
“Today is not just about handing over medical equipment. It is about people. It is about care. It is about hope. And above all, it is about our shared responsibility to one another as a community.
“The Oba Micah and Olori Moronke Ajijo Foundation was established with a clear and heartfelt mission: to support underserved communities in Ondo State and across Nigeria by improving access to quality education, healthcare, enabling infrastructure, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
“We believe strongly that real development happens when we work together. Government alone cannot do it all, just as communities cannot thrive without partnership. That is why our Foundation focuses on identifying practical ways to improve the everyday lives of our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and children.
“Healthcare, is the backbone of any thriving society. When people are healthy, families are stronger, productivity increases, and hope flourishes.
“An ultrasound machine is not just a piece of equipment—it is a lifeline. It plays a crucial role in maternal and child health, emergency care, and the early detection of medical conditions. For many families, it can mean the difference between uncertainty and clarity, between fear and reassurance, and sometimes, between life and loss.
“I would like to specially commend the doctors, nurses, and support staff of this hospital. Your dedication, resilience, and compassion in the face of limited resources are truly inspiring. We hope this equipment will ease your workload and support you in doing what you do best—saving lives and caring for people.
We also appreciate the leadership of the hospital management and the unwavering support of community leaders who continue to advocate for better healthcare services for their people.
“We hope this donation marks the beginning of many more partnerships aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery in Igbokoda and beyond. Together, we can build a healthier, stronger community and a better Nigeria,” the President said.
On the free medical outreach held in Ilaje Local Government Area, beneficiaries came from different communities in the state to access the healthcare services for various ailments.
Commenting on the outreach, the Foundation’s Secretary Board Of Trustees, Folashade Ajijo, said the initiative was inspired by the legacy of their parents, natives of the community who were committed to community service and empowerment.
The Secretary pointed out that although the family had been involved in philanthropic activities for several years, the foundation was recently formalised to ensure accountability, structure and sustainable impact in the communities it serves.
Folashade Ajijo, noted that the foundation’s focus spans key sectors such as health, education and livelihood, with the medical outreach designed to bridge healthcare gaps in rural and riverine areas of the state.
She said “the mission of our foundation is to empower underserved people in the Ilaje area of Ondo State and in Nigeria generally. Our mission is to touch several areas. We want to see how we can improve access to quality education.
”You can see what we are doing here today. it is really focused on health, but we are also interested in livelihood. We are interested generally in how we can contribute our own part and play our own part in empowering underserved people.”
In his remark, the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described the medical outreach and the donation of the ultrasound machine as a major boost to healthcare delivery in the state, noting that it would strengthen diagnostic services at the Igbokoda facility.
Aiyedatiwa who was represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, stressed the need for proper use and maintenance of the equipment describing the donation as a valuable investment that must be preserved to ensure long-term benefits for patients.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of Igbokoda General Hospital, Dr Edino Ezekiel, said the donated ultrasound machine would significantly improve service delivery at the hospital, describing it as one of the most advanced diagnostic tools available in the area.
He explained that the Doppler-enabled ultrasound allows detailed examination of blood vessels, soft tissues and vital organs, making it useful for antenatal care, abdominal scans and cardiac assessments.
According to him, the equipment would reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for specialised diagnostic services, as Igbokoda General Hospital serves communities across the local government and neighbouring riverine areas.
Giving details of the medical outreach, the Doctor in charge of the outreach who was also the Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ondo State, Dr Babatunde Akinbinu, said the exercise was structured to address both acute and chronic medical conditions common among residents.
Akinbinu disclosed that beneficiaries were screened and treated for ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, malaria, peptic ulcer, eye-related conditions, among others with the support of specialist doctors, including a consultant ophthalmologist, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
He said over 40 healthcare workers, drawn from within and outside the local government area, participated in the outreach, ensuring services were provided for geriatric, adult and paediatric patients.
The medical expert disclosed that free drugs were dispensed to beneficiaries to last between one and two weeks, while arrangements were being considered to support patients requiring further medical or surgical intervention, subject to available resources.
The NMA official revealed that the foundation spent millions on the medical outreach and equipment donation, stressing that all services and drugs provided during the programme were offered at no cost to beneficiaries.
He added that patient data were captured for follow-up care in collaboration with the General Hospital, primary healthcare authorities and relevant health insurance agencies to ensure continuity of care, especially for patients with chronic illnesses.
Akinbinu lamented that lack of sustained treatment often forces patients to abandon medication or resort to unsafe traditional remedies, leading to preventable complications and deaths, a situation the foundation aims to prevent.
He said “We are taking data of everybody we are seeing today. We are taking names, addresses, and the illnesses we are treating, and we are keeping backups of all these records. We will relate this information to the General Hospital and the Primary Health Care Authority to see how follow-up care can be provided.
”Healthcare is not a one-off thing. For simple illnesses like malaria, that may be enough, but for chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, people need care for a long time. When resources are not available, people may stop using their drugs or turn to unscientific traditional or herbal remedies, which are often unsafe.
”This usually leads them back to the hospital when their conditions have worsened, sometimes resulting in death. That is what we are trying to avoid. We want to take care of people early, identify those with such illnesses, and manage them properly.”
