Ekiti State Government is to hold a Special Free Health Mission for traditional rulers and their families as well as top traditional chiefs in the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government Affairs who is also the Chairman, Logistics Committee of the Special Free Health Mission, Mr Ayodeji Ajayi made this known Ekiti during an
advocacy visit to the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Owa-Oye of Okemesi Ekiti, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji
in his palace.
Mr. Ajayi explained that the programme tagged Ilera Laafin was part of efforts aimed at providing a holistic and comprehensive health care Services to all segments of the society adding that it was
designed to improve the health status of traditional rulers, their immediate families and chiefs.
Describing free qualitative health care delivery as a vital component of the Fayemi –Administration’s 8-point agenda, the Permanent Secretary stressed that the resolve of the state government to use it
as an important tool towards achieving medium term sustainable human development.
Ajayi said having recorded great successes in providing free medical services for children, pregnant women, the physically challenged and senior citizens in the last two and half years, the State Government
was now opening new frontiers with the Ilera Laafin Special Free Health mission.
According to him, many of the royal fathers and members of their households could not benefit from the 7 previous editions of the Free Health mission because of their status and the large crowds that came
out for the programmes. He explained that the programme which will be a collaborative effort
of the State Ministry of Health, the 16 local Councils, The University of Ado-Ekiti Teaching Hospital and the Development Support International (DSI) will kick off at the palace of the Owa Ooye of Okemesi Ekiti on the Thursday 18th July 2013 before moving to the palaces of other traditional rulers in the state
The Permanent Secretary who noted that beneficiaries of the programme would undergo free screening and treatment for diabetes , cancer, hypertension, eye and dental defects as well as other commonailments, said that serious cases would be referred to the University of Ado-Ekiti Teaching Hospital as well as other secondary and tertiary health facilities in the state for further attention
Responding, the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Owa Ooye of Okemisi-Ekiti, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji expressed appreciation to Governor Fayemi for the kind gesture.
While Commending the Fayemi Administration for the land mark achievements recorded in various sectors since its advent in 2010, the Royal Father pledged the support of all traditional rulers in the
state for the state government.
