Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to revitalising effective healthcare delivery system and achieving universal health coverage in the state.
Ododo gave the assurance at the stakeholders’ engagement meeting organised by Kogi Ministry of Health in collaborations with the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA) on Friday in Lokoja.
In his remarks, the governor urged the stakeholders to ensure that the PHCs are strengthened in Kogi to delivering quality healthcare services to the people especially at the grassroots.
Ododo, who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu, also announced the commencement of periodic spot checks on all Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state.
He said that the initiative was part of the ongoing reforms aimed at revolutionizing the state’s primary healthcare system.
According to him, the objective is to ensure that the centres deliver high quality and accessible healthcare services.
Ododo stressed that the initiative, led by the Primary Healthcare Task Force in collaboration with local government authorities and traditional rulers, would ensure accountability, enhance coordination, and elevate the standard of services provided by PHCs.
He, therefore charged the Local Government (LG) chairmen to take ownership of the PHC facilities in their respective areas, and ensure effective collaborations health officials at all levels.
The governor also appealed to the traditional rulers to support the government in ensuring easy access to the PHCs being the closest to the grassroots for quality healthcare delivery to the people.
“I want all of you to join hands with the LG Chairmen to monitor and ensure that quality healthcare is effectively delivered at the grassroots.
“As traditional rulers, you have the right to supervise and monitor the health officials in your domain to ensure quality healthcare services to our people at the grassroots.
“On our part as government, we are committed to ensuring that the right thing is done for the benefits of our people.
“We want to be getting feedback from our royal fathers of the happenings in the PHCs in their respective domains,” he said.
The governor further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare services towards achieving the universal health coverage in the state.
He added: “Our administration is determined to address the challenges in the primary healthcare system and ensure better health outcomes for our citizens.
“This will be achieved through improved data collection and adherence to best practices in case management across all PHCs”.
Ododo also expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for healthcare reforms across the country.
The governor emphasized that such backing has been instrumental in driving the state’s efforts.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adams Abdulazeez , stressed the significance of collaboration among stakeholders in sustaining healthcare initiatives.
Abdulazeez revealed that at least, one PHC in each of the state’s 239 wards is currently operational and supported by funding, with plans underway to increase the number of fully functional PHCs across all wards in the state.
In their separate remarks, the Executive Director, Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA), Dr Musa Muazu; and the Executive Secretary, Kogi State Health Insurance Agency (KGSHIA), Dr Adekunle Aledare, both commended the governor for prioritising quality healthcare delivery to indigent citizens in the state.
Aledare urged the vulnerable citizens as well as expectant and nursing mothers to take full advantage of the various free healthcare schemes at PHCs that had been made available by the state government.
Muazu, who highlighted some of the challenges facing the agency in delivering efficient healthcare services, reassured the commitment of the agency and state government to continue to ensure access to quality services especially the vulnerable in the rural areas.
On her part, the Deputy Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Comfort Nwochiola, urged the health workers to be more committed to delivering quality healthcare at the grassroots.
She appealed the Local Government Chairmen to synergise with the relevant stakeholders to ensure adequate sensitisation and mobilisation for active participation in routine immunisation as well as other health benefits available to the citizens.
The Royal Father of the day, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, HRM, Dr Ahmed Tijani-Anaje, commended the Ministry of Health for its relentless efforts to improve primary healthcare delivery especially at the grassroots across the state.
The paramount ruler pledged the continued support of traditional rulers in monitoring and supervising PHCs in their domain to maintain service delivery standards.
The meeting was organised to engage relevant stakeholders on the implementation of IMPACT project, federal and state governments’ interventions on PHCs in the state, and need for LG and community awareness and ownership.
The role of Traditional rulers and Religious leaders in strengthening the Health system and achieving the Universal health coverage in the state.