The Oyo State Government is thinking of designating healthcare centres for the elderly in each of the state’s 33 local government areas (LGAs), an official disclosed on Monday.
The state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Toyin Balogun, made the disclosure in Ibadan during the commemoration of the 2024 International Day of the Elderly.
Balogun said the Gov. Seyi Makinde’s administration had put in place strategic collaboration to ensure that the initiative is materialised.
She added that government was committed to supporting senior citizens in the state, noting that government recognises the unique challenges the elderly people were faced with in their daily lives.
“The Makinde administration is a people-centric one. The central core of this government is formulating policies and programmes as well as putting in place intervention programmes designed for the welfare and well-being of the people.
“These elderly people had served the state with their youthful energies in either public service or private ventures. So, they deserve respect, honour and support,” the Commissioner further said.
Balogun noted that the programme organised to commemorate the 2024 International Day of the Elderly was a step towards ensuring that the senior citizens live with dignity and comfort.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that foodstuffs and financial support were provided for not less than 1,000 elderly persons, drawn from all 33 LGAs, who attended the event.
Two of the beneficiaries —- an octogenarian, Madam Elizabeth Ojo, and 63-year-old Mr Ezekiel Ayoola —— expressed their appreciation of the Makinde administration for the gesture.
Ojo however urged government to do more in prioritising the welfare of the elderly across the state.
On his part, Ayoola pleaded with government to subsidise the cost of drugs for the aged who were nursing one ailment or the other.(NAN).
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