The Ekiti State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) has debunked the claim by the Director, Justice, Development and Peace Initiative of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Rev. Fr Emmanuel Akingbade, that PWDs in Ekiti need access to free healthcare.
The report was released by some news outlets on April 24th 2024 quoting the cleric.
However, the Association in a statement released on Friday, May 10, stated categorically that the informations contained in the report are not true.
It said governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is committed to providing free healthcare services for PWDs in Ekiti State.
It said the JONAPWD Executives and its leaders were on Tuesday in the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Hon. Princess Agboola Adetoun over the matter.
Hon Adetoun said “Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is committed to the welfare of persons with disabilities in Ekiti and has provided free healthcare services to disability community”
Adetoun reiterated that there are ongoing registrations for free healthcare at all health centers across the state.
He said “there are testimonies from members admitting they enjoyed the free healthcare services.”
He urged members of the Association to continue to register at nearby health center so as to continue enjoying the free services offered by the government.
Also speaking, the immediate past JONAPWD Chairman, Mr. Owolabi Kayode said he didn’t know where JDPI got such information because Ekiti PWDs are enjoying free healthcare.
The JONAPWD General Secretary, Oni Femi noted that he has debunked the news as “fake” on his social media and promised to reach out to the organization not to use JONAPWD against the government.
Oni further said “none of the content in the release was true. Our Governor is doing well presently and still has better tomorrow for the Ekiti PWDs”