The Ijesaland Geriatric Centre in Ilesa celebrated its anniversary , with great enthusiasm and participation from all stakeholders. The March 2023 remarkable event was attended by various dignitaries, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health, the Board of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), and community leaders.
The highlight of the celebration was the massive turnout of about 1,000 Ijesa patients from all six LGAs in Ijesaland, out of the over 2,500 patients who have registered with the hospital since its inception. On this special day, the patients were provided with free consultations, treatments, and medications, marking the one-year milestone.
The presence of Lawrence Anyanwu, the Representative of the Federal Minister of Health, added to the significance of the event. He praised Ijesaland Community for their pioneering efforts in Community Self-Help Development and promised to report to the Minister to explore further support for the Ijesaland Geriatric Centre.
Hon. Richard Adams, leading the entire Board of OAUTHC, expressed his pleasant surprise at the enormous confidence and patronage the hospital has garnered within just one year. He assured the hospital of the continuous support from the Board.
The Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Afolabi Owojuyigbe, was visibly impressed by the various units and sections of the Centre, including Outpatient Section, Registry, Consultation Rooms, Dentistry, Ophthalmology, Pharmacy, Laboratory, Wards, Theatre, Social Workers, and Physiotherapy, all operating excellently and meeting the satisfaction of the visiting patients.
Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, the Father of the Day and Chairman of the celebration, expressed his overwhelming joy at the realization of the Ijesaland Geriatric Centre, which has become a significant health infrastructure in the region, benefiting people in Ijesaland and beyond. He encouraged the patients to spread the message and garner support for similar developmental projects in Ijesaland, both from within Nigeria and the diaspora.
As part of the celebration, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi announced a generous donation of an INTERACTIVE COMPLETE AUTONOMOUS ROBOT from an Ijesa Son based in New York, USA. Once installed at the Ijesaland Geriatric Centre, this state-of-the-art equipment will provide medical consultation, telemedicine diagnosis, vital signs readings, and medical tests, making IGC the FIRST HOSPITAL IN NIGERIA to have such advanced technology.
The event also featured the recognition and awarding of prizes to elderly men and women who participated and excelled in various games, including Ayo Olopon, Ludo, SWOT, and Cards.
Throughout the 4-hour celebration, the atmosphere was filled with melody, fun, and entertainment, as elderly patients engaged in lively dancing in response to the musical tunes.
The Management, Doctors, Nurses, and Staff, under the leadership of Dr Ladi Fakoya, received commendation for organizing a remarkable one-year anniversary celebration for the largest Geriatric Centre in West Africa.
The success of the Ijesaland Geriatric Centre has validated the vision of Ijesa Leadership and Community Members who came together to construct the second and largest Geriatric Hospital in Nigeria.
