04/07/2026
State Specialist Hospital Ondo Extends Healthcare Services to Ondo Correctional Centre Inmates
As part of the Ondo State Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of correctional centre inmates, the State Specialist Hospital, Ondo, has conducted a comprehensive medical outreach at the Ondo Correctional Centre, providing essential healthcare services and reinforcing the importance of preventive medicine.
The initiative aligns with the vision of the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and reflects the growing role of state governments in correctional healthcare following the constitutional amendment that moved correctional services from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List.
The hospital’s delegation, led by Dr. Akeke, Matron Grace Adeoye and Matron Akinlara, was received by the Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), Mr. Odeniran Samuel, alongside other senior officials of the correctional facility.
Speaking on the programme, the Chief Medical Director of the State Specialist Hospital, Ondo, Dr. Adeola O. Akintade described the outreach as a proactive intervention designed to prevent illnesses from becoming severe before inmates require specialist care.
According to him, many inmates present with preventable health conditions, including skin infections, malnutrition, respiratory tract infections and chronic diseases such as tuberculosis. He also observed that healthcare personnel within correctional facilities remain overstretched, making it difficult to adequately meet the growing healthcare demands.
He explained that the hospital introduced the outreach to bridge these gaps through regular medical screenings, laboratory investigations and early diagnosis of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
“When abnormalities are detected during our screenings, we work closely with the correctional authorities to ensure affected inmates are referred to the hospital for proper treatment before complications arise. Those whose conditions can be managed within the correctional centre receive immediate care, while more complex cases are referred for specialist attention.
He further stated that this is not a one-off programme. It is designed to be a continuous, periodic outreach through which the medical team will regularly visit correctional centres to screen inmates, provide treatment where possible and strengthen partnership with correctional authorities in safeguarding the health of inmates.
The outreach also included free medical consultations, routine health screenings, laboratory investigations, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, as well as the distribution of essential medications. The exercise formed part of the hospital’s broader strategy of taking quality healthcare services directly to underserved populations while strengthening collaboration between healthcare institutions and correctional facilities, stating that this is the third visit to the facility.
Activities commenced with a health education session delivered by Matron Akinlara, who emphasized the importance of disease prevention, personal hygiene, early diagnosis and prompt treatment of common health conditions. She encouraged inmates to adopt healthy practices that could help reduce the spread of infectious diseases and improve their overall well-being.
Speaking during the programme, Deputy Controller of Corrections, Mr. Odeniran Samuel, explained that the correctional centre has qualified healthcare professionals employed by the Nigerian Correctional Service and certified by the Nigerian Medical Association, who provide medical care for inmates.
He, however, noted that the increasing inmate population has placed significant pressure on available healthcare resources, particularly the supply of medications. According to him, support from the Government, philanthropists and other development partners has continued to provide relief despite the existing challenges.
Mr. Odeniran added that efforts are ongoing to further improve healthcare delivery within correctional facilities through increased government support.
He said, the facility is working closely with the government to secure additional medical equipment, adequate drugs and more qualified healthcare personnel.
The medical outreach underscores the importance of collaboration between government institutions in expanding access to healthcare for vulnerable populations and advancing public health across Ondo State.