The first Sickle Cell Disease Centre in Ogun State was officially commissioned at the State Hospital, Ota in a landmark ceremony on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
The state-of-the-art facility, generously donated by Rotary International District 9111, promises to deliver top-notch care and treatment to sickle cell patients in Ogun State and beyond.
The commissioning ceremony, which was captured on a YouTube live stream by Volunteer Medical Laboratory Scientists, was attended by a host of dignitaries, including the Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adekunle Iziaq Salako, who emphasized the significance of Rotary’s contribution to community building and the President’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Dr. Salako lauded the initiative as a driving force behind the implementation of Universal Health Coverage in the state and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering on the promises of the Renewed Hope agenda.
The event was also graced by the governor’s representative, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, the Commissioner for Health, Permanent Secretaries, royal fathers, including the Olota of Ota and Aremo of Iganmode, as well as the Rotary Club President and Governors.
The Acting Medical Director of State Hospital Ota, Dr. Sokan, representing the Medical Director, Dr. Ero Phillips, expressed gratitude to the Rotary Club for choosing State Hospital Ota as the site for the centre.
Dr. Sokan pledged that the facility would be effectively managed to ensure its optimal utilization for the benefit of patients.
Volunteer Medical Laboratory Scientists at the programme were very enthusiastic, as Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) who play a crucial role in the accurate diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease,lauded the beautiful gesture by the Rotary club.
MLS expertise in conducting tests such as hemoglobin genotype, cellulose acetate electrophoresis, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is vital in confirming diagnoses and facilitating effective management and treatment of the Sickle Cell disease.
This pioneering Sickle Cell Disease Centre, made possible by Rotary International District 9111, stands as a beacon of hope for sickle cell patients in Ogun State, exemplifying the power of collaborative efforts to combat this genetic disorder.
