Ekiti Lawmakers Launch Free Medical Outreach Across 16 LGAs

Federal lawmakers from Ekiti State, led by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, have commenced a comprehensive free healthcare programme for residents across all 16 local government areas of the state.

The initiative, which goes beyond a one-time event, offers medical consultations, screenings, free drugs, eyeglasses, and treatment for various ailments. Patients requiring advanced care will be referred to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, with costs covered by the state government.

Speaking at the launch, Bamidele described the outreach as a demonstration of governance delivering tangible results, noting that the timing during a politically active period was intentional to show that leadership must continually impact citizens’ welfare regardless of political cycles.

The programme is a product of collaboration between the National Assembly members from Ekiti and Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration.

Oluwaseye Babatunde, Managing Director of Rovalroche Hathaway Company Limited, called the exercise a people-centred intervention designed to restore hope and save lives.

Lead ophthalmologist Kamal Umar reported that over 2,000 patients have already been attended to, many suffering from cataract, glaucoma, and other eye conditions that they could not previously afford to treat.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who chairs the national campaign council for the upcoming Ekiti governorship election, praised the initiative as a model of citizen-first governance. He also lauded ongoing reforms in Ekiti’s health sector, including the renovation of primary healthcare centres and expanded free services for vulnerable groups.

Governor Oyebanji acknowledged rising demand for healthcare in the state, noting that increased access has strained facilities and personnel. He revealed that his administration is committing nearly N1 billion to healthcare delivery and recruiting additional medical staff with support from federal lawmakers.

The governor assured residents that no community would be left out as the outreach moves across the state, urging everyone to take full advantage of the programme.