The Equity Health Group is a forward-thinking healthcare conglomerate committed to revolutionising healthcare delivery. Its mission is to provide accessible, high-quality medical services globally, fostering wellness and medical excellence within communities.

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR Ojaja II, unveiled the Equity Health Group. The facility is scheduled to open for public usage on Monday, July 1, 2024, and will be formally launched in Lagos State on July 15 and 16, 2024.

By guaranteeing that no patient would be denied high-quality healthcare because of financial limitations, particularly in times of emergency, the Ooni hopes to demonstrate how important it is to value humanity in general and life in particular.

This is a direct result of His Imperial Majesty’s engagement and enormous investment in Nigeria’s health sector since taking on the role of Arole Oduduwa. This was especially evident when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, as evidenced by the professional team that was assembled, along with reputable medical research organisations, laboratories, and other institutions, to guarantee the safety of Nigerians.

The Ooni had this to say to reporters about the driving force behind the healthcare company: “The last pandemic drew my attention to a lot of untapped medical potentials of we black people especially here on the throne of Oduduwa, these stuffs (Herbs and its likes) are what saved us from experiencing major challenges faced by most developed countries when no one regardless of riches or status could travel to seek medical attention abroad.

“I had to constitute a team of scholars particularly in the medical profession and veterans in the business/practice of the ancient herbal and alternative medicine who brainstormed on exploiting the best in our local herbal medicine, and this led to the discovery of potent solution through which beneficial products with which we combated and defeated the pandemic were discovered. I must hail the collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRID), and frontline medical research institutions in the country which brought us this far.

“I remember developing an initiative, called “Pan African Foundation for Indigenous Medical Research and Development (PAFIMERD)” in 2020 during the celebration of African Traditional Medicine Day. All these activities have now snowballed into Equity Health Group; an international hospital and diagnostic centre with a lot of interlinked arms of medical solutions including drug manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and vaccine production among others. The best part of it is that this facility will source its ingredients locally, thereby strengthening the Naira while boosting the country’s productivity.

“Equity Health Group stands at the forefront of healthcare innovation, encompassing a diverse portfolio of subsidiaries. Through these subsidiaries, we endeavor to revolutionize healthcare delivery and promote well-being globally. At Equity Health Group, we believe in patient-centered care, innovation, and integrity.

“Our watchword is to dignify human life by attending to all emergencies immediately regardless of the patient’s financial status. We will work to save lives first and not ask for papers or money from a dying patient,” Ooni added.

The Ooni had this to say on the involvement: “To the glory of God, I co-own the company with a young visionary entrepreneur – Dozy Mmobuosi who has a very clear and similar vision to take the black race out of over-dependence on the Western world for medicine. We combined efforts to make it a world-class medical institution and diagnostic centre.

“I am pleased to inform you that the company has three subsidiaries. The first is the Equity Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre; a comprehensive hospital and diagnostic service that focuses on advanced medical technology and personalized care. Presently, it is situated in Lagos State with plans for expansion to other parts of the country and the United Kingdom. The second arm is the Equity Pharmaceuticals; a company that will leverage innovative technology to provide quality pharmaceutical products and services. Last but not the least is the Equity Vaccine Laboratories; an arm that focuses on the research and development of vaccines for global health security. With this, we aim to pioneer vaccines to tackle pressing global health challenges and ensure a safer future for all.

“In actualizing the purpose of this outfit, we shall bring on board our higher institutions of learning particularly the medical arms of reputable universities including the Ojaja University, Eyenkorin, Ilorin, Kwara State which I own. This will cement the “town and gown” relationship, thereby enhancing the productivity of our graduates,” he added.

The National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria’s co-chair, Ooni Ogunwusi, came to the conclusion that Nigerians would have an easy place to end the practice of travelling abroad for medical care due to the country’s improved health facilities, particularly thanks to the involvement of the private sector like Equity Health Group.

He said, “Aside from the provision of unequaled medical services for Nigerians in line with best global practice, Equity Health Group is structured to actively participate in global medical research especially in the area of vaccine production/development to safeguard global health. As the giant of Africa, Nigeria should be at the forefront of vital global medical conversations like the development of vaccines against malaria disease upon which we cannot afford to be dependent on the Western world.

“While I am neither a medical doctor nor a pharmacist, I passionately believe that we have what it takes to change the narrative of over-dependence on medical tourism to the developed countries. Beyond the area of research, Africa and indeed Nigeria can be a major powerbroker in the global pharmaceutical and medical industry,” he added.