Hundreds of natives and residents of Ile-Ife especially the aged members in the ancient city on Wednesday benefited from the free healthcare services to celebrate Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II birthday.
The healthcare services which was sponsored by the Iyalaje Oodua, Princess (Dr.) Toyin Kolade.
It was contained in a statement signed the Director, Media & Public Affairs,
Ooni’s Palace, Comrade Moses Olafare and available to this medium.
The initiative which held at the prominent Oba Okunade Sijuwade Memorial Hall, Enuwa, Ile-Ife, was put together by the Iyalaje Oodua to assist the poor and other vulnerable persons particularly those suffering from High Blood Pressure and Diabetes.
Iyalaje Oodua, Represented by a public health expert, Dr Juliana Harriman praised beneficiaries of the free healthcare for coming out in their numbers to be educated and given treatment on various health challenges they facing them. She assured them that Iyalaje Oodua would continue with the exercise even beyond the Ooni’s birthday.
“Yes, you have turned out in numbers and this has indeed impressed my Principal, Princess Dr. Toyin Kolade, the Iyalaje Oodua Worldwide who has asked me to tell you all that this exercise will surely be regularly”. Dr Harriman said.
The exercise which was segmented into various stages including; Health Education or prevention and Management of High Blood Pressure and Diabetes, Fee Blood Sugar Test, Visual Accuracy Test, Free Pick Flow Test, Free Blood Pressure Test and free Healthcare services for 200 persons suffering from High Blood Pressure and Diabetes among others, had Professor Olapeju Esimai who is the head of the Community Health Department, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital(OAUTH) in attendance as the Guest Speaker.
“My mothers and sisters, please take your health very importantly, always adhere to the lecture we have just given you here today on your health, please used your drugs adequately and please always remember that health is wealth.
These are the way to motivate Iyalaje Oodua who has done this for you so that she can come back to do more for you.” Professor Esimai said.
The free medical checkup was laced with the administration of free drugs and other medications as recommended by doctors on ground as well as detailed medical advice for the senior citizens.
Beneficiaries who took turns to be attended to, moved with enthusiasm from one phase of the exercise to the other with prayers for Iyalaje Oodua and the Ooni Ogunwusi.
A beneficiary who identified herself as Mrs. Saidatu Ajoke, expressed her heartfelt joy as she prayed fervently for Iyalaje Oodua who is the brain behind it.
“This is a huge sign that we the elderly are still regarded and it sends a great message of love, right now I am filled with joy and I don’t know what to say that to thank the Iyalaje of Oduduwa Race worldwide and our father, the Arole Oduduwa. I wish him a happy birthday anniversary and long may he reign on the throne of his ancestors.” The obviously happy woman said in Yoruba language.
The second phase of the health outreach commemorating the Ooni’s birthday anniversary is scheduled to continue on Friday 15th, October 2021 at the same venue for women and ladies suffering from Urinary Tract Infections(UTI) to receive treatment and lectures on the cure and prevention of any type of urinary tract infection (UTI). This aspect is sponsored by Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI) an Ooni’s Charity Outfit being run by Princess Temitope Adesegun.
