There is growing unease within the Ondo State health sector following the recent redeployment of Local Government Area (LGA) Primary Health Care (PHC) directors in the Southern Senatorial District.
Findings revealed that the postings, carried out by the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, were allegedly influenced by political interference and targeted transfers within the system.
Sources within the sector alleged that the reshuffle was influenced by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka, who reportedly directed the Permanent Secretary of the agency, Dr. Francis Adegoke Akanbiemu, to effect changes affecting PHC directors, particularly in the southern axis.
The development comes amid earlier complaints by a group under the platform of Ulenuse, representing concerned Ilaje indigenes, who inspected health facilities in the area and described their condition as deplorable. The group reportedly escalated its concerns to the health commissioner after documenting the state of the facilities.
Amid the controversy, it was gathered that one of the affected officers, Dr. Ayelaje Oluwalominu Naphius, was redeployed and demoted, with instructions to report to the Ondo West LGA PHC Director, according to the new circular—a move some insiders described as punitive.
A circular issued by the agency and signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary confirmed the redeployment of six medical officers across various LGAs with immediate effect.
According to the document, Dr. Olawanle Jibayo was moved from Irele to Ilaje LGA as PHC Coordinator, while Dr. Adeniyi Olusola Marius was transferred from Okitipupa to Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo LGA. Similarly, Dr. Gbadamosi Olanrewaju was redeployed from Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo to Odigbo LGA.
Others affected include Dr. Faruwa Bosede Mojisola, who was moved from Odigbo to Okitipupa LGA, while Dr. Kpemi Warifinwei remains in Irele LGA but has now been designated as PHC Coordinator.
The agency directed all affected officers to hand over government property in their possession before proceeding to their new duty stations.
However, the postings have continued to generate mixed reactions, with some stakeholders describing the exercise as unfair and capable of undermining staff morale and service delivery in primary health care across the affected councils.
Meanwhile, a protest has reportedly broken out in Igbokoda, as aggrieved stakeholders and residents express dissatisfaction with the redeployments and state of health facilities.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to get an official response from the state Ministry of Health proved abortive.
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