Hundreds of natives and residents of Ile-Ife, especially the aged residents of the ancient city on Wednesday benefited from the free healthcare services, sponsored by the Iyalaje Oodua, Princess (Dr.) Toyin Kolade, in celebration of the birthday anniversary of the Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
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.
The 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 facing them.
She assured them that the Iyalaje Oodua would continue with the exercise, even beyond the Ooni’s birthday.
She said, “Yes, you have turned out in numbers and this has indeed impressed my principal, Princess Dr. Kolade, the Iyalaje Oodua worldwide, who has asked me to tell you all that this exercise will surely be regular.”
The healthcare services, which was segmented into various stages, including: health education oo prevention and management of high blood pressure and diabetes; free 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 aiabetes among others, had Professor Olapeju Esimai, who is the head of the Community Health Department of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, OAUTH, in attendance as the Guest Speaker.
Prof Esimai said, “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 ways to motivate Iyalaje Oodua, who has done this for you so that she can come back to do more for you.”
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 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.
Visibly elated, she said in Yoruba language, “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 than 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 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, UTIs, to receive treatment and lectures on the cure and prevention of any type of UTI. This aspect is sponsored by Hopes Alive Initiative, HAI, an Ooni charity outfit being run by Princess Temitope Adesegun.
