We’ll Improve Health Indices, Others- Says Ogun Commissioner

By Ademola Orunbon

• Funding of PHCs is important to the overall development of the State
• The health indices for mothers and children and prolonged life expectancy cannot change, without addressing healthcare at the grassroots

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The Ogun State Government has said that it is determined to improve the health indices of the State, regarding mothers and child wellbeing, as well as facilitate programmes that will prolong the life expectancy of residents, through implementation of Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), in all Primary Health Centres (PHCs).

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker revealed this during a day stakeholders’ meeting on the Implementation of Basic Health Care Provision Fund and Improving Primary Health Care System in the State, organised for Transition Committee Chairmen and Medical Officers of Health (MOH), at Mitros Residence, Abeokuta, emphasising that the Fund was targeted at ensuring people have access to quality healthcare, particularly at the grassroots. 

The Commissioner, who explained that the BHCPF was the first step, towards achieving universal healthcare, assured that renovation of PHCs were on-going across the State to ensure effective service delivery.

“The Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun as you know from the inception of his administration has been fully committed to providing efficient and affordable healthcare services, which is one of his foremost pillars that he has been supporting. The health indices for mothers and children and prolonged life expectancy cannot change, without addressing healthcare at the grassroots”, she said.

She enjoined the stakeholders to support the efforts of government, by ensuring judicious use of the Fund and recruitment of resident Community Health Informants and Midwives, for the successful implementation of the programme.

In his address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Afolabi Afuwape said funding of PHCs is important to the overall development of the State, noting that active involvement and engagement of Transition Committee Chairmen and MOH in the day-to-day running of the public health facilities is paramount.

In his presentation, the Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr Elijah Ogunsola said to ensure accountability, revenue generated in each facility should be under the respective PHCs accounts, monitored and accessed by Transition Committee Chairmen and MOH, adding that there should also be a uniform price list for PHC services in the 20 Local Government Areas of the State.

In their separate contributions, the State Coordinator, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Sunday Abidoye and his counterpart from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Victoria Adebiyi commended government in its efforts at ensuring a successful take-off and implementation of the BHCPF, promising that their various agencies would continue to support the State at improving healthcare service and delivery.

On behalf of participants, the Transition Committee Chairman, Odeda Local Government, Hon. Semiu Lawal lauded the initiative of the government on its move to ensure transparency and accountability in the running of PHCs, promising that they would ensure proper implementation of the programme for the benefit of the people.