Ekiti State Government has organised a One-Day Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEMONC) assessment report dissemination and stakeholders engagement meeting.
Speaking at the dissemination meeting in Ado-Ekiti, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani said that the assessment was done to identify gaps and opportunities in CEMONC services to drive policy reforms, mobilise resources and secure sustainable funding for improved maternal and newborn health outcomes in secondary health facilities in the State.
Expressing appreciation to the research team for the findings, Dr Filani said the results from the assessment would help to make informed and evidence-based decisions, emphasising the government’s commitment to act on the recommendations for improved health outcomes.
The Commissioner recalled that between last year and now, when the assessment was done, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has renovated and equipped a good number of hospitals, adding that works are currently ongoing in remaining secondary facilities to deliver quality, accessible, affordable healthcare services for the residents of the residents.
In their welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretaries Ministry of Health and Hospital’s Management Board, Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun and Dr Olasunkanmi Alabi expressed delight in the success of the assessment exercise, noting that stakeholders are presented the opportunities to recognize strengths and gaps as well as priority areas of requiring immediate interventions.
The permanent secretaries stated that the data from the assessment was expected to be integrated into planning and policy formulation for maternal and newborn health programmes.
In his contribution, the State CEMONC focal person, Dr Babajide Agboola, stated that the assessment report was packaged by Jhpeigo and USAID but was primarily done by various health professionals such as Maternal and Child Health Officers, monitoring and Evaluation officers, senior consultants, amongst others in the state.
Dr Agboola disclosed that the team assessed physical infrastructures, amenities, power and water supply, health workers’ competency, essential drugs as well as medical equipment amongst others
Present at the event included top government officials, SWAP coordinating office and SWAP State officers, Jhpiego zonal office representatives, health development partners such as WHO, ECWES, Chief Medical Directors, Nigeria Health Fellows and other relevant health practitioners.
