Oyo Govt Offers Free Medication To 300 Persons Living With Sickle Cell
No fewer than 300 persons have received free medication along with health education and counselling as Oyo State marked World Sickle Cell Day on Friday.
Speaking at the event held at Ikolaba High School, Ibadan, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, reiterated the importance of early detection, enhanced access to medical care, and community awareness in reducing the burden of the disease.
Ajetunmobi said the state’s healthcare reforms were deeply rooted in the principles of universal health coverage and equity.
The event, organised in collaboration with a non-governmental foundation, brought together patients, families, and students from across the city.
World Sickle Cell Day, observed globally on June 19 annually, serves as a vital platform for raising awareness and improving understanding of the challenges faced by individuals living with sickle cell disease.
Ajetunmobi further highlighted the state government’s strategy for addressing Sickle Cell Disease to include strengthening newborn screening for early diagnosis, expanding access to vital medications such as hydroxyurea and folic acid, and integrating Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) clinics into all levels of healthcare from primary to tertiary facilities.
She also stressed the need for accurate health data, which has led to the development of sickle cell disease registries to better understand and respond to disease trends.
The commissioner noted that these efforts reflect Governor Seyi Makinde’s broader vision for a robust and inclusive healthcare system in Oyo State.
She added that under Makinde’s administration, several transformative initiatives have been implemented, including the Omituntun Free Health Mission, which continues to provide comprehensive free healthcare across all 33 local government areas.
According to her, the mission, while also offering free surgical services, targets vulnerable groups such as children under five and the elderly.
Speaking further, she disclosed that more than 200 primary healthcare centres have been renovated, while 150 others are currently undergoing upgrades, and over 3,000 health workers have been employed to improve service delivery.
“Through the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA), more than 400,000 residents now have access to affordable and consistent healthcare,” Ajetunmobi said.
While encouraging policymakers to maintain and increase support for sickle cell programmes across the state, Ajetunmobi urged citizens to take personal responsibility for their health by knowing their genotype, seeking early diagnosis, adhering to prescribed treatments, and embracing genetic counselling to make informed reproductive choices.
Oyo Govt Offers Free Medication To 300 Persons Living With Sickle Cell is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
