By Abooluwa Famakinwa, Akure
Towards achieving a functional and effective Primary Healthcare system that can respond to emergency, the Ondo State Government has distributed Multi-million Naira Medical Equipments to 300 Primary Healthcare facilities in the State.
In its bid to strengthen and enhance the diagnostic capacity of Primary Healthcare facilities in the state, the State Government had earlier last year distributed Multi-million Naira worth Medical and Laboratory Equipments to Primary Healthcare facilities in the State.
While commissioning the distribution of the 2nd phase of Medical Gardgets to 300 Primary Healthcare facilities in the State ,the Ondo State Governor,Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said the distribution of Medical Equipment in phases to Primary Healthcare facilities, is his administration’s modest way of adding value and strengthening Primary Healthcare delivery in the State .
The Governor said due to his administration understanding of the role of a healthy and virile Primary Healthcare system in reducing the indices of Maternal and Child Mortality and Morbidity, it is revitalising the Primary Healthcare system which hitherto was seen as unfit because of its lack of modern tools and equipment and is fast shedding it’s obsolete toga for a refreshing and revitalised one.
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Arakunrin Akeredolu opined that the intervention was a demonstration of political will to strategically rescue and consciously restore hope to the health sector and guarantee good health for residents, especially Pregnant Women and Children Under Five.
As part of his rescue mission, the Governor added that the distribution of the equipment was the 2nd phase, as the first phase took place August last year, while promising more phases until the Primary Healthcare system in the State becomes a reference point in qualitative Maternal, Neo-natal and Child Healthcare in the Country.
He disclosed that the equipment being commissioned is in fulfillment of the Millennium Service Package pillar of the Primary Healthcare Under One Roof as well as a necessity to improving the diagnostic and therapeutic capacity of the primary healthcare facilities to respond to the health needs of citizens in all communities in the State.
The Governor pledged that his administration will not rest on its oars until all three categories of Primary Healthcare facilities in the state have basic Medical Equipment, necessary to enable it deliver on its mandate.
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Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro said the distribution of equipment to Primary Healthcare facilities was one of the requirements of the State’s Save Our Children initiative ( Agbomola) which is targeted at reducing Peri-natal and Child Mortality and Morbidity.
Dr Adegbenro thanked the Governor for providing an enabling environment for the health sector, especially the Primary Healthcare arm which is closest to the grassroots.
He also placed on record his indebtedness to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for the regular operational support given to the Primary Healthcare Agency.
Equipments commissioned and distributed in the Arakunrin Akeredolu’s Rescue Mission include: 300 children Ambu bags, 60 Ambu bags, 300 baby weighing scales, 300 Blood Pressure Apparatus, 300 Stethoscopes,301 Angel Examination Lights,18 Anti- shock Garments and 300 Penguin Suction Devices.
Shedding light on the event, the Executive Secretary of the Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu said for the Primary Healthcare system to reduce Maternal and Child Mortality and Morbidity, treat commonly occuring diseases, operate within the five principles of the PHCs and address all its components,there was need for standard Laboratories and Basic Equipments to perform optimally.
Akanbiemu revealed that at the inception of the present administration, it was discovered that the state had made lots of health system development in the PHC but there was serious gaps in terms of basic equipments needed to achieve the vision of the Governor and also address the principles of the PHC.
He added that the strategic distribution of Medical and Laboratory Equipments to the PHCs and the on going training and retraining of Health Workers are meant to address all gaps that were noticed as regards the principles primary healthcare and ensure that it becomes more sensitive and responsive to the healthcare needs of the people of the state.
The Executive Secretary explained that the first phase was targeted at equipping at least one PHC in one Local Government Area with a standard laboratory and other basic equipments needed to curtail Mother and Child Morbidity and Mortality as well as respond to emergencies to certain extent before referral where necessary.
The 2nd phase was targeted at 300 PHCs out of the 576 in the state as this is more than half, though the eventual plan is to cover all,to make them functional and address all components of Primary Healthcare .
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