A non-governmental organisation, The Sage and Enamel Foundation (SANDEF), has donated mattresses, pillows, and bed sheets to the mental health department of the Osun State Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo, while appealing to the government to pay more attention to mental health issues in the state.
Speaking during the presentation of the items, Adeyemi Fikayo, Executive Director of the Benson Adeyemi Foundation, remarked, “We come here every week to subsidize hospital bills for people with mental illness. We adopt patients and take care of all their medical expenses.”
“We also pick up individuals with mental health conditions from the streets, bring them to the hospital for treatment, cover their medical bills, and reintegrate them into society.”
“Today, we are donating beds so the hospital can admit more patients.”
“The current administration, under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke, is making commendable efforts.”
“Mental health affects everyone in one way or another, and the need for proper medical support cannot be overstated. Our goal is to contribute to the government’s efforts in making healthcare accessible to mental health patients in the state.”
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Benson commended the Osun State government, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, for its support in allowing the initiative to take place.
“If the government had not given us approval to work within this space, we wouldn’t be able to do what we are doing today,” he added.
He further explained that the donation is part of a three-phase intervention to assist mental health patients in the state.
“The first phase involves subsidizing hospital bills for mental health patients. The second phase focuses on adopting individuals and covering all their medical expenses, while the third phase is about rehabilitating mentally ill individuals found on the streets bringing them in for treatment and reintegrating them into society.”
“Our appeal to the government is to focus more on mental health issues. With the little we are doing, if the government pays full attention to this issue, it will make a significant impact.”
Receiving the items, Dr. Dare Rachael Folasade, Consultant Psychiatrist and Chief Consultant of the hospital, said, “SANDEF has been supporting us for the past year. This donation will serve many people for years to come. On behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Hospital Management Board, I appreciate SANDEF and its team.”
“With their support for medication, the majority of my clients now return with stable mental conditions. Some of them have been symptom-free for months.”
“It has greatly advanced our work. The foundation has been instrumental in supporting mental health services.”
“Mental illness has a multifactorial etiology, it can be social, economic, or genetic. When the social environment is toxic, businesses are struggling, and economic conditions are harsh, the rate of mental illness is likely to increase.”
“I am seeing more patients these days, possibly due to greater awareness of mental health services and environmental factors. Societal issues, genetic predisposition, family dynamics, and substance use all contribute to mental health disorders,” she noted.
Dr. Dare Folasade emphasized, “This donation is more than just providing mattresses, it’s about ensuring dignity and comfort for our patients, especially those undergoing long-term treatment. SANDEF has been supporting us for over a year, and we are truly grateful.”
Also, Mrs. Janet Dolapo Ajiboye, Deputy Director and Head of the Mental Health Department at the hospital, appreciated the donor, describing him as a humanitarian.
She urged other well-meaning individuals, especially philanthropists, to emulate the group by contributing to humanitarian causes. She also pleaded with SANDEF to continue its good work without relenting.
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