Osun: Gov Adeleke Prioritises Primary Healthcare – Health Board Chair

The Chairman, Osun State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Alhaji Tajudeen Tejuade Adisa, has reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Ademola Adeleke to strengthening primary healthcare services across the state.

Adisa who disclosed this to journalists on Thursday in Osogbo, Osun State capital during a political programme, said, the health sector remains a top priority of the Adeleke administration, noting that the Governor believes primary healthcare is the foundation of effective healthcare delivery and the closest point of care to the grassroots.

Adisa disclosed that 208 out of the 332 focal centres have been fully renovated and upgraded with 24-hour electricity and water supply, as well as modern medical equipment to enhance service delivery.

He added that work had commenced on the remaining 124 centres before funding challenges, caused by political disruptions at the state and local government levels.

Adisa noted that Governor Adeleke has assured residents that non-focal primary healthcare centres will also be upgraded once work on the focal centres is completed.

Adisa urged residents of the state to take advantage of the improved facilities by visiting the nearest primary healthcare centres, stressing that medical services at the centres are provided free of charge.

While corroborating the board Chairman, the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Primary Healthcare, Dr Michael Oyerinde, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr Akindele Adekunle, and Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr. Sina Igbalaye, said immediately after assuming office, Governor Adeleke directed the constitution of a multi-sectoral committee to drive the revitalisation of primary healthcare facilities across Osun State.

According to them, “As part of the intervention, the government prioritised 332 focal primary healthcare centres, one in each of the 332 wards in the state, out of over 835 health facilities.

“As everyone knows, Governor Ademola Adeleke is a people-friendly leader. Since assuming office, he has made the health sector a top priority of his administration. This is why he approved the renovation and upgrading of primary healthcare facilities across the state, believing strongly that primary healthcare is the foundation and closest point of care to the grassroots.

“We were given a clear mandate to ensure that primary healthcare services are strengthened because they remain the closest health facilities to the people.
Out of over 835 primary healthcare centres across the state, the government prioritised 332 focal centres, one in each ward, in line with the fact that Osun State has 332 wards.

“Despite the previous administration claiming they carried out renovation in those health centers, what we met that was done was superfluous, window dressing and cosmetic renovation carried out in those centers. This form the basis reason we’re now embarking on the Governor’s mandate to rehabilitate and upgrade the health centers across board from their infrastructural deficit to meet up with W.H.O standard of 24hrs power supply, 24hrs water supply, and equally adequate drugs provision among other benefits”, they stressed.