Ondo Govt Approves N49m Aid for 43 Patients

The Ondo State Government has approved N49 million in medical assistance for 43 residents battling serious health conditions.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, presented cheques to the beneficiaries on Friday in Akure.

Aiyedatiwa said the intervention was part of the state government’s humanitarian efforts to support residents who could not afford the cost of treating critical medical conditions.

He noted that the number of beneficiaries and the amount released increased compared with the previous year, when 33 residents received N39 million in medical assistance.

“This is an increase of N10 million. It was N39 million to 33 beneficiaries in 2025 and N49 million to 43 beneficiaries in 2026,” he said.

The governor stressed that the intervention was available to residents irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political affiliations.

He explained that applicants were required to obtain a letter from the doctor who diagnosed their condition, along with an estimate of the cost of treatment.

“To benefit as a patient, get a letter from the doctor who diagnosed you, together with the medical estimates,” he said.

According to him, applications were subjected to rigorous scrutiny by a Medical Inquiry Board, which interviews applicants and verifies their medical conditions and financial circumstances before approval.

“There is a Board of Medical Inquiry that will call everyone for an interview,” Aiyedatiwa said.

He added that beneficiaries did not need political or personal connections to access the intervention, as approval was based strictly on verification of their medical needs.

“Obtaining the fund is based on verification of your condition. It is a very thorough process. You do not need to know anybody,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa urged the beneficiaries to spend the funds strictly on their medical treatment, saying this was necessary to achieve the purpose of the intervention.

He also advised residents to enrol in the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission’s insurance scheme as a more sustainable means of accessing healthcare.

“That is the way to go because medical assistance is not something that will be sustainable,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Elder Henry Ojagbonmi and Mrs Iyabode Bolajoko appreciated the governor for the assistance.

They said the intervention would help reduce their financial burden and pledged to use the funds solely for their medical treatment.