The Ekiti State Government has engaged 250 health workers, including Medical Doctors, Nurses, Midwives and Community Health Officers, in various public health facilities across the state.
Addressing stakeholders from Ikere, Ekiti South-West, Moba and Ilejemeje Local Government Areas during separate community mobilisation and stakeholders’ engagements supported by the IMPACT project at Ikere and Otun-Ekiti, the State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani stated that the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji approved the employment of the Medical Doctors, Nurses Midwives and Community Health Officers as part of concerted efforts to complement the existing workforce for better healthcare service delivery.
Dr Filani disclosed that the government is currently renovating and equipping the 103 Primary Health Centres across the state, in addition to the renovation and re-equipping of all general hospitals in the state as part of its commitment to ensure that all categories of people living in the state have access to quality and affordable healthcare services.
He revealed that the state was set to recruit another round of health professionals, demonstrating the present administration’s commitment to the health and well-being of Ekiti residents.
He urged the stakeholders to continue to encourage all health-seeking Ekiti residents to make use of health facilities in their communities for adequate and proper medical attention as well as reducing mortality rates.
Also speaking at the separate fora, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Human Services Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun charged the community leaders and stakeholders to take ownership of government health facilities in their various communities for better utilization.
In their remarks, the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu represented by Chief Tajudeen Adejumo; the Oore of Otun, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo represented by Chief Bamgboye Akninwoye and Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola represented by Chief Ebenezer Idowu as well as the Chairmen of Ikere and Moba Local Government Areas Mr Olu Adamolekun and Mr Fadugba Bamidele respectively expressed gratitude to the Governor for his various interventions in the health sector which they noted have brought significant improvement to the sector, increased facility utilisation and improved health outcomes.
They appreciated the government for involving the communities and grassroots in various interventions and plans aimed at improving the health outcomes of the state.
They called on health providers in both private and public hospitals to always show empathy and a human face while dealing with and treating their patients and all health-seeking individuals who visit their facilities to enhance patient satisfaction.
In their presentations, the General Manager of the Ekiti State Health Insurance Scheme, Dr Charles Doherty and State Health Educators Dr Busayo Ige and Dr Funke Oguntoye called on all health-seeking residents, especially pregnant women and nursing mothers, to make use of government health facilities for their various health needs.
They emphasised the importance of vaccinations for children, noting that those vaccines help in building their immunity against deadly diseases.
Dr Doherty disclosed that services provided at the primary health centres such as malaria treatment, immunisation drugs and commodities amongst others are free of charge across the state
Stakeholders sensitized at the programme include traditional rulers, Chiefs, religious and community leaders, market women, Ward Development Committee (WDC) members amongst others.
