In a distressing revelation for the residents of Idofin community in Igboora, Ibarapa Central of Oyo State, the critical need to complete an abandoned primary health care center has come to light, highlighting the dire healthcare situation faced by over 35,000 people in the area.

The discovery of the unfinished primary health care center situated on Imeleke Road was brought to attention by Mr. Ademuyiwa Adeyemi, the Oyo State and Southwest Regional Coordinator of Budgit.

Mr. Ademuyiwa Adeyemi

According to Adeyemi, the community has been grappling with the absence of a local health facility until the intervention of former Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, whose tenure between 2016 and 2019 initiated the project.

Despite efforts by the community to engage government authorities and public figures, progress on the health center has stalled, reportedly due to political differences.

This delay has left Idofin’s population, averaging around 2,000 households, without access to essential primary healthcare services.

Residents shared heart-wrenching accounts of the challenges they face due to this absence of local medical care.

Families must travel to neighboring Oke-Odo community for healthcare services, often resulting in tragic consequences, especially for infants and those requiring urgent medical attention.

Oke-Odo PHC

Mr. Olusoji Okegbemi, a resident of Idofin, recounted a harrowing experience when his father fell ill during a fuel scarcity period, necessitating a grueling journey on foot to the General Hospital from Odofin due to the lack of nearby healthcare options.

Similar stories are widespread among the community, highlighting the urgent need for the completion of the primary health care center in Idofin.

The Oke-Odo health facility, serving as a substitute, is itself overwhelmed and understaffed, exacerbating the healthcare crisis faced by residents.

Beyond completing the primary health care center, additional resources such as staffing and equipment are urgently required to meet the healthcare needs of the Idofin community.

As residents continue to navigate these challenges, the call for immediate action to finalize the abandoned health center echoes loudly, emphasizing the critical importance of accessible and reliable healthcare services for all members of the community.