On September 12, 2026, Ondo State indigene Odunphoto Omolaja publicly praised Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his health sector efforts, declaring, 'OUR EASE has come,' a sentiment echoed by millions of residents. Omolaja highlighted free surgeries at the State Specialist Hospital, part of the 'AsiwajuDatiwa Festival' campaign to secure support for President Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 election bid. However, these efforts represent just a fraction of Aiyedatiwa’s broader healthcare achievements, which have redefined the state’s medical landscape.
The governor’s focus on healthcare is underscored by the 2026 budget, which allocated additional funds for potable water and healthcare delivery following a mid-year review of the 2026 Appropriation Law. Assented to on December 29, 2025, and effective January 1, 2026, the budget enabled the rehabilitation and equipping of over 100 basic health clinics. Aiyedatiwa emphasized that the state’s public health policy and surveillance systems have prevented epidemic outbreaks, a critical achievement in a region prone to health crises.
Aiyedatiwa’s initiatives extend to staffing and infrastructure. Over 3,000 health workers have been employed, while 500-bedded wards are under construction across state hospitals. The acquisition of advanced medical equipment, including CT scans, mammography machines, and MRIs for Unimedthc, marks a historic milestone for Ondo. Additionally, 12 modern ambulances and a new HILUX vehicle for the Health Management Board (HMB) have been procured to enhance emergency care.
The state’s healthcare overhaul includes the renovation of over 100 primary health centers and ongoing upgrades to specialist and general hospitals. The HMB has also refurbished 28 ambulances and HILUXes. Notably, the long-abandoned Agbakada General Hospital, shuttered for 16 years, was completed, and the Ondo State School of Nursing in Ilaje Local Government was approved. Free surgeries for indigent citizens during the 'AsiwajuDatiwa Festival' further exemplify the governor’s commitment to accessible care.
Health insurance coverage for pensioners, Amotekun Corps members, and others has been expanded, alongside the revitalization of the Ondo State Drugs and Commodity Agency. The agency received two HILUXes and millions in seed funds. Aiyedatiwa also highlighted the state’s self-sufficiency in oxygen production, with two plants at SSH hospitals in Okitipupa and Akure, allowing federal hospitals to source oxygen locally—a first for Ondo.