Ede Muslim Council Launches Free Primary Health Scheme for Vulnerable Residents

Ede Muslim Council Launches Free Primary Health Scheme for Vulnerable Residents

The Ede Muslim Council has officially launched the Ede Muslim Free Primary Health Scheme (EMFPHS), a welfare initiative designed to provide free primary healthcare to the most vulnerable Muslims in Ede.

The scheme was launched on Sunday, October 18, 2026 (Jumadal Awwal 7, 1448 AH) by the Chairman of the Council, Dr. Musibaudeen Olatunde mIdris Sekoni, at a well-attended ceremony.

In his address, Dr. Sekoni said the scheme was created to answer donors’ call for accountability and purposeful use of Zakat and Sadaqah. The EMFPHS will be a major beneficiary project of the Ede Muslim Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation established in 2025.

“Health is the foundation of Ibadah and livelihood. Many elderly ones in our community cannot afford as little as N3,000 for malaria treatment. This Scheme, In Shaa Allah, aims to come to their aid,” Dr. Sekoni said.

Scope and Partnership

According to the Chairman, the scheme will operate through accredited Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Ede, as well as selected private hospitals that have volunteered to treat beneficiaries free of charge as their own Sadaqah and community service.

To ensure sustainability, the Council will also enroll eligible beneficiaries into the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) to give them access to secondary care.

The EMFPHS will cover:

• Free consultation for malaria, typhoid, diarrhoea, respiratory and skin infections
• Free essential drugs
• Free basic lab tests (Malaria RDT, Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, Urinalysis)
• Maternal care support for vulnerable pregnant women
• Health education and preventive care
• Referral support for emergencies

He clarified that for now, the scheme will NOT cover major surgeries, prolonged admissions or highly specialized care.

Who Will Benefit?

Beneficiaries will be verified by their Ratibi Imam and screened by the Scheme Committee. They must be Muslim residents of Ede and will be issued a valid EMFPHS ID Card valid for one year.

Category A (Priority): Elderly Muslims 70 years and above without income and the extremely indigent (Al-Fuqara Wal Masakin).

Category B (Vulnerable): Widows and orphaned mothers, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), indigent patients with chronic illnesses and vulnerable pregnant women.

The scheme will be managed by a 5-man committee comprising 3 members from the Executive Cabinet, 1 Medical Professional and 1 Council member, who will manage, audit and report.

Mode of Operation: Registration and verification > Issuance of free ID Card > Beneficiary visits accredited facility with ID Card and receives treatment free. Facilities will be settled from the Zakat & Sadaqah Fund.

Dr. Sekoni described the project as Sadaqatu-l-Jariyah and called on sons and daughters of Ede at home and in diaspora, philanthropists and lovers of good health to support it.

Donations can be made to:
Account Name: Ede Muslim Comm Zakat Sodaqah Foundation
Account No: 0020494490
Bank: JAIZ Bank

The launch was witnessed by the Guest of Honour, Prince Imran Kola Bushrah, Chairman of the occasion Prof. Lukman Jimoda Adekilekun, past Chairmen of the Council, medical partners, donors and members of the press.