Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA Launches 24-Hour PHC in Ishefun

 

By Kayode Olopade 

In a major step towards transforming grassroots healthcare delivery, the Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has officially upgraded the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Ishefun from an 8-hour facility to a full-fledged, round-the-clock 24-hour service centre.

The milestone was announced on Friday by the Executive Chairman of the LCDA, Otunba Ladi Oluwaloni, during a formal commissioning ceremony held at the renovated Ishefun PHC. The event also featured a robust community health outreach and sensitisation campaign.

Speaking with passion and purpose, Otunba Oluwaloni declared the upgrade as more than just an infrastructural improvement — it is, in his words, “a bold reaffirmation of our administration’s commitment to people-centred, accessible, and sustainable healthcare services.”

“Today, we do not just open doors — we break barriers,” he said. “This facility will remain open and functional 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No resident of Ishefun, Ayobo, or neighbouring communities should suffer due to lack of access to emergency care at night or over weekends. Our people deserve timely and dignified healthcare — and that is what we are providing.”

Otunba Oluwaloni commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for their visionary support of grassroots healthcare delivery and reforms. He also recognised the unflinching commitment of Dr Olufunmilayo Bankole, Permanent Secretary, Health District I, whose collaboration he described as “instrumental in bringing this project to life.”

The upgraded PHC is equipped to deliver a wide range of services including emergency response, maternal and child care, routine immunisation, and chronic disease management. It now boasts a full complement of medical staff, essential drugs, and medical equipment.

The commissioning also marked the beginning of free medical outreach services across the LCDA, including blood pressure monitoring, diabetes screening, malaria tests, eye examinations, and cervical cancer screening — all aimed at early detection and disease prevention.

To further improve healthcare access for vulnerable groups, the council announced the rollout of health insurance enrolment at the grassroots level. Otunba Oluwaloni noted that these initiatives will ease pressure on state general hospitals and foster a culture of proactive healthcare among residents.

In her remarks, Dr Bankole urged the community to make full and responsible use of the newly upgraded centre, describing it as a cornerstone of the state’s “Ilera Eko” health vision. She stressed the importance of early care-seeking behaviour and commended the council’s responsiveness to public health needs.

Also speaking at the event, Dr Adekunle Meyar, the Medical Officer of Health for Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA, confirmed that trained personnel are now on standby round the clock to attend to medical emergencies and maternal health cases. He assured residents of continued improvements in service delivery.

The Supervisor for Health, Mr Olusola Dada, lauded the Chairman’s leadership and vision, noting that the PHC upgrade is one of many positive strides recorded under his administration. He also warned against the dangers of relying on unverified herbal remedies, particularly for pregnant women.

“This facility is here to serve you — it is safer, more affordable, and more effective than any roadside alternative,” he said."