- Warning issued during the 2026 budget planning stakeholders’ meeting in Epe
- Epe LG Chairman spends millions monthly on medical bills for indigent residents
- FMC officials confirm her dedicated support and affordable service accessibility
A strong warning echoed through the Council Chamber of Epe Local Government as stakeholders gathered for the 2026 budget planning session, following repeated incidents of residents assaulting health workers over medical referrals.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Executive Chairman, Hon. Princess Surah Olayemi Animashaun, and the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Adeleke Awolesi, used the platform to address what they described as a growing and disturbing trend threatening the safety of frontline health personnel.
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Dr. Awolesi voiced serious concern, emphasizing that referrals are strictly medical judgments taken in the best interest of patients, not signs of incompetence or avoidance of duty.
According to him, “Our health workers are not careless. When they refer, it is because the case requires specialist attention. It is a decision made to save lives. Anyone who assaults a health worker over this going forward will face the law.”
The Chairman, visibly displeased, insisted that such behaviour is unacceptable, especially considering the massive investment Epe LG makes every month to support residents’ healthcare.
She revealed that the council pays medical bills running into millions of naira at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) for residents who cannot afford treatment.
In her words, “Every month, I settle medical bills worth millions at FMC for our people. These are not my personal bills,they are for residents who need help.
So why would anyone be referred there and then attack the health workers? It is completely wrong, and it must stop immediately.”
Dr. Awolesi also recalled the emotional case of the woman who recently had triplets and had to be referred to a teaching hospital for advanced care.
He noted that the Chairman took full responsibility for all her medical bills and even deposited extra funds to ensure uninterrupted treatment.
He said, “Even after the woman sadly passed away, the Chairman refused to abandon the children. She empowered the sister caring for the babies, secured a good-paying job for their father, and still supports the children every month.”
Supporting these claims, the Head of Social Welfare at FMC, Mr. Ayanbisi, confirmed the Chairman’s ongoing efforts, noting that she maintains a special folder dedicated to supporting indigent patients.
He said, “She spends millions monthly to make sure no resident is denied treatment. FMC has upgraded facilities and innovations that many general hospitals don’t have, yet the bills remain affordable.
Unfortunately, the people discouraging others from coming here have never even visited—they spread misinformation from outside.”
The Chairman and MOH made it clear to all stakeholders present that any further attack or intimidation of health workers will attract strict legal consequences.
They appealed to residents to value the efforts of medical professionals and cooperate with them for the good of the community.
