Why we built kidney care centre in Owo — Engr Ijalana

…says healthcare must be closer to the people

…Aiyedatiwa hails Kidney care center as lifeline for Ondo State

Healthcare delivery in Ondo State got a major boost at the weekend with the commissioning of the Titilayo Memorial Kidney Care Centre, the first outpatient dialysis facility in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area.

Declaring the centre open, the founder, Mr. Kayode Ijalana, said the initiative was designed to close the healthcare access gap between rural and urban communities.

He said the that the project was born  out of the conviction that healthcare must not be the exclusive preserve of urban centers.

“This moment means more than just bricks and machines,” he said, his voice firm with passion. “It is about hope, treatment, and responsibility. It’s about what is possible when we choose community over convenience, and service over profit.

“Real change begins with actions like this. We cannot neglect our towns and only focus on the big cities. Everyone’s life matters — and it should not be about profit,”

According to him, the facility, which currently houses four functional dialysis machines, will “serve as a treatment ground for kidney patients while creating jobs for residents.”

He explained the centre’s guiding principle: “Our mission is to provide exceptional, personalized kidney care services that enhance the quality of life for patients. Our vision is to be the premier kidney care provider, known for excellence, innovation, and patient-centered care.”

He said the project was conceived to reduce the burden of long travel time in accessing quality healthcare, especially for people in smaller communities, noting that most major medical interventions are often located in large cities, leaving smaller towns underserved.

“A lot of times when people want to do something like this, they do it in bigger cities, forgetting the inner cities. When it comes to healthcare, time is very important. In America, depending on the level of emergency, you might have to travel even on a helicopter. But if you have to travel for 31 hours to access healthcare, you might not get there in time.”

He explained that the new facility was designed to make clinical care more accessible and to give back to the community where he was raised and said “my singular goal is to give back to this community. God blessed me, and I just want to say thanks that we are here today,” he added.

While stressing the importance of preventive care, Ijalana advised people to pay attention to their kidneys, he said  “I’m not a medical doctor, but from research, one of the first ways is to hydrate. Drink a lot of water. That helps the kidneys to cleanse themselves,”

On the issue of insecurity, which often discourages Nigerians in the diaspora from investing at home, he urged them to look beyond exaggerated social media narratives.

“There’s social media reality and there’s reality on ground. The reality on social media is not the same as what’s on ground. I would encourage our people to brave it up and invest back home,” he stated.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Kidney center, the state governor, Hon. Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described the newly inaugurated Titilayo Memorial Kidney Care Centre as a timely intervention in tackling the rising burden of kidney disease in Nigeria.

Represented by the Chairman of the State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Olusegun Ategbole, the governor commended the founder for his vision and assured of government’s support.

“Kidney disease remains one of the growing public health burdens in our nation. The establishment of this specialized kidney care facility is therefore both timely and commendable. It aligns with our EASE agenda to strengthen access to quality healthcare,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa reiterated his administration’s commitment to upgrading health facilities across the state to global standards, stressing that the Owo kidney centre would help reduce medical tourism and bring advanced treatment closer to the people.

He charged the management of the facility to uphold professionalism, compassion, and excellence, adding that it would serve as “a centre of hope for patients across Ondo State and beyond.”

The Governor congratulated Engineer Kayode Ijalana, his wife, and the Owo community for what he called “a milestone achievement in specialist healthcare delivery.”

In his royal address, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye III, described the project as “an idealistic yet realistic step” and urged other indigenes to emulate the steps of the founder of the center.

“This type of kidney care is best run by the private sector. The benefit is beyond Owo, and we are appreciative of this noble idea. Let this be a challenge to others to come home and invest in their people,” the monarch stated.

The royal father who linked development of the community to peace said  “We must prioritize and embrace peace. Where there is no peace, there can be no progress. Owo is growing, and while challenges will come, we must face them with wisdom and unity.”

Health professionals and community leaders present hailed the project as a policy-driven milestone that demonstrates how private investment can complement government’s health agenda.

With the establishment of Titilayo Memorial Kidney Care, Owo joins the front line of Nigerian towns proving that quality healthcare is not a privilege reserved for big cities but a right that can be rooted in local communities.

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