Oyo State Govt. Pledges Free Healthcare, Empowerment For Farida Ismail, Two Siblings, And Amputee Father

The Oyo State Government has met with the family of Farida Ismail, the pupil of Christ Church School 1, Mapo-Odinjo, who was allegedly rejected at Adeoyo Eye Clinic, Ring Road, with a promise to offer free health services.

The meeting, which was presided over by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetumobi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Hospitals Management Board, had in attendance directors of the Ministry, the pupil’s father, family members, the Head Teacher of Christ Church School 1, and newsmen at the Ministry of Health, Secretariat, Ibadan, on Wednesday.

Recall that Farida Ismail raised concerns on Monday after she alleged that health workers at Adeoyo Eye Clinic, Ring Road, Ibadan, refused her access to the health facility despite her being in school uniform. The pupil was said to have been diagnozed with squint and other congenital-related syndromes.

Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Hospitals Management Board, stressed the state’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare to citizens. She noted that the state has the needed facilities across the 351 wards, promising to offer free eye treatment to Farida Ismail and her two siblings who also suffer hereditary eye defects.

“Like you know, our governor remains fatherly and proactive, and you can see all his unprecedented achievements across the state. This is the least of what we could do, and you know that health is one of the cardinal points of this administration.

“He does not joke with it, and that is why the management team of health doctors, ably led by the Honorable Commissioner for Health, myself, the PS, Hospitals Management Board, together with the PS, Ministry of Health, have waded in and resolved that the child will get the best care in our hands. We do not want her to be taken care of by private facilities because everything she needs is within our purview,” she said.

“The eyes that I have seen… I could diagnose that she was born with it. The congenital-related syndrome will be corrected in no distant time. By God’s grace, she will reach her dreamland,” she added.

The government also vowed to support Farida Ismail’s father, Mr. Ahmed Ismail, whose legs were amputated over fourteen years ago following a car crash on the Kano-Oyo Expressway. She said the government has contacted the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, the Oyo State Agency for Disabilities, and other foreign partners for possible economic and social empowerment for sustained life-changing mechanisms.

“We have contacted other government agencies and foreign partners on possible ways to support Mr. Ahmed Ismail, father of Farida. We can see that he has no legs and no job. The State Government is ready to assist even the two other siblings of young Farida,” she added.

While assuring continued investigation into the incident which involved the alleged rejection of patients at state facilities by some health workers, she issued a stern warning against negligence and urged expectant mothers to prioritize antenatal care to prevent future health complications.

In their separate reactions, Farida Ismail, her father, Mr. Ahmed Ismail, and the Head Teacher of Christ Church School 1, Mapo-Odinjo, Ibadan, Mr. Wasiu Olaniyi, expressed their appreciation at the prompt response of the Seyi Makinde-led government.

In his reaction, chief coordinator, Catch Them Young Initiative and founder of Iseya TV, Mrs. Ayodeni Aluko commended the prompt response of the government, urging well meaning Nigerians to use their wealth to support the less privileged for more inclusive society.

Meanwhile, health analysts have called on the government to activate its promises to the family of Farida Ismail, saying this will help to restore public confidence in state health facilities.