IJESALAND GERIATRIC CENTRE (IGC) TURNS ONE IN STYLE

The Celebration of the First Anniversary of the Birth of Ijesaland Geriatric Centre, Ilesa reached a crescendo on Friday, 31^st March 2023 with the presence of all Stakeholders in attendance.

The highlight of the day was the mammoth turnout of about 1,000 (One Thousand) Ijesa Patients from all the six LGAs in Ijesaland out of the over 2,500 who have thus far, registered with the hospital to receive free consultation, free treatment, and free disbursement of drugs for the day in commemoration of the one-year anniversary.

The colourful event was witnessed by the Representative of the Federal Minister of Health, Lawrence Anyanwu; the entire Board of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) led by Hon. Richard Adams; the whole Management of OAUTHC led by the Ag. Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof Afolabi Owojuyigbe; the over 100-Member Ijesaland Geriatric Centre Management & Operational Team led by the Director, Dr Ladi Fakoya.

And of course, the Ijesaland Community was ably led to the ceremony by the Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi who was designated as the Father of the Day/Chairman of the memorable ceremony. Also in attendance were the Chairperson of Friends of Ijesaland Geriatric Centre, Lady Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo; the Body's Secretary, Mr Wale Idowu; Representatives of IGC Advisory Committee under the leadership of Col(Dr) Akin Moses; and other Traditional and Business Community Leaders.

The Representative of the Health Minister could not hide his joy and commendation of Ijesa Community describing what he saw at the IGC as the first of its kind in Community Self-Help Development and he promised to report to the Minister with the aim of supporting IGC further.

The Board Chairman who initially mistaken the large audience in attendance to be Invited Guests before he was corrected that they were all part of the registered patients in IGC. He was pleasantly impressed at the huge confidence and patronage the hospital has recorded just within a space of 1-year. He assured of the Board continuous support to the hospital.

The Ag. CMD was visibly impressed with all units and sections of the Centre from Outpatient Section, Registry, Consultation Rooms, Dentistry, Ophthalmology, Pharmacy, Laboratory, Wards, Theatre, Social Workers, Physiotherapy, etc performing excellently to the satisfaction of the visiting patients.

The Father of the Day and Chairman, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi felt fulfilled and overwhelmed with joy and happiness that the Ijesaland Geriatric Centre is not only a reality today but that it has been a major health infrastructure in Ijesaland, adding daily value to the lives of the people in Ijesaland and beyond. He went further to admonish the large crowd of patients present to take the message back home to their respective children and wards both in Nigeria and in the diaspora to continue to support Ijesaland Development Agenda through meaningful financial contributions towards development in Ijesaland if more of similar projects are to be achieved.

Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi further intimated the audience of his successful discussion with an Ijesa Son based in New York, USA who has promised to donate the first of its kind *INTERACTIVE COMPLETE AUTONOMOUS ROBOT* This equipment that is the latest in the whole world is capable of supporting medical consultation, telemedicine diagnosis, vital signs readings, and medical tests when installed at Ijesaland Geriatric Centre will make IGC the FIRST HOSPITAL IN NIGERIA to have such facility. This feat was confirmed by the OAUTHC CMD, Prof Afolabi Owojuyigbe.

Further highlight of the event was the presentation of prizes to the Elderly Men and Women who participated and excelled in the various games of Ayo Olopon; Ludo; SWOT; and Cards at the event.

The 4-Hour event was not devoid of melody, fun, entertainment, dancing as various groups of the Elderly Patients engaged in rib cracking dancing styles in response to the various musical tunes on display.

Kudos to the Management, Doctors, Nurses, and Staff under the good leadership of Dr Ladi Fakoya for organising a befitting One Year Anniversary Celebration of the birth of the largest Geriatric Centre in West Africa.

The Friday, 31^st March 2023 has finally justified the vision of Ijesa Leadership and Community Members in the construction of the second but biggest Geriatric Hospital in Nigeria.

Hurray to Ijesaland!

EVENTS AT IJESALAND GERIATRIC CENTRE, ILESA