The Ondo State Government, through the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, has called on residents to make greater use of primary healthcare facilities across the state following ongoing upgrades aimed at improving quality service delivery.
The Permanent Secretary of the agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu, disclosed this on Monday during a stakeholders’ engagement held in Akure with the theme, “Strengthening Primary Healthcare Services in Ondo State Through Citizens’ Engagement and Ownership.”
Represented by the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr Victor Adefesoye, Akanbiemu said the meeting was organised to sensitise stakeholders on ongoing reforms in the primary healthcare sector and seek public input toward improving healthcare delivery.
He explained that the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had embarked on the renovation and reconstruction of 203 primary healthcare facilities, alongside the introduction of modern innovations to strengthen healthcare services at the grassroots.
According to him, the facilities have been equipped with essential medicines, consumables, diagnostic kits, and modern medical equipment to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment of patients.
He added that real-time reporting systems had also been introduced to enhance service delivery and align the state’s primary healthcare system with global standards.
The permanent secretary urged pregnant women, nursing mothers, and other residents to patronise the facilities, noting that many of the services provided were affordable and, in some cases, free.
He also warned against misinformation discouraging vaccination and immunisation, stressing that government health interventions were aimed at protecting public health.
In her remarks, the UNICEF representative, Mrs Moronke Orhorhamreru, described primary healthcare as the foundation of a resilient health system because of its role in disease prevention, health promotion, and access to essential healthcare services.
She emphasised the importance of community participation in achieving sustainable improvements in healthcare delivery.
Also speaking at the event, the Ondo State Team Lead of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Mr Olamide Ayedun, said the engagement would improve accountability by allowing citizens and stakeholders to provide feedback on healthcare services.
He reaffirmed the organisation’s continued technical and financial support toward strengthening the state’s health system.
Similarly, the Red Cross representative, Mr Taiwo Filani, said sustainable healthcare delivery could not be achieved by the government alone, stressing the need for community participation and ownership of health facilities.
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