The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said the State has made 300% improvement in all Primary Healthcare activities, especially Routine Immunisation.
Arakunrin Akeredolu made this disclosure at the 2019 second quarter meeting of the State Task Force on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunisation in Akure.
According to the Governor, the last Lots Quality Assurance Survey (LQAS) on performance Assessment for Programme Monitoring for Action which was conducted early this year, showed that the State has improved in all Primary Healthcare activities, especially in the area of Routine Immunisation.
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In recognition of the fact that efficient use of vaccines against vaccine preventable diseases,is the only sure and effective way of securing the lives and future of children under the age of five from deadly dreaded but preventable childhood killer diseases, his administration is committed more than ever, to secure their lives, limbs and future.
The Governor who was represented by his deputy, further said the reviewing immunisation activities in the second quarter, data showed there is marked improvement in the coverage of Antigens when compared to that of the first quarter.
The Ondo State governor attributed the great success achieved in terms of Primary Healthcare activities, especially in terms of immunisation to the dedication and commitment of stakeholders to the struggle and fight against Polio and other childhood killer diseases.
While thanking them for the great feat achieved, the Governor urged them not to rest on their oars but to preach and spread the gospel that immunisation is key to securing the future of the State.
As a responsible and responsive government, the Governor said to ensure the State continue to improve on the feat achieved, the government has decided to boost the capacity of the the Primary Healthcare by employing more workers.
While reaffirming commitment of the government to continue to priotise Primary Healthcare by investing in it to ensure basic necessities are provided without delay, the Governor promised that issues of insecurity in the state will become a thing of the past as this will enhance better immunisation coverage and performance.
In his feedback report on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunisation, the WHO State Coordinator, Dr Akinola Fatiregun revealed that the State is in the first position in Southern Nigeria, scoring 55% which he said is still not the best but should be improved upon through the setting up of functional Task force at the Local government level.
He charged Local Government Chairmen to set up functional Task Force ,attend and chair Evening Review Meetings, embarking on supervisory visits to health facilities in their domain to put them on their toes, flag off all immunisation campaigns and release counterpart funds for them.
He looked at the performance of each Local Government via various performance indicators and Ose performed better than all other 17 LGAs.
Earlier in his Address of Welcome, the Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro said the quarterly Polio Task Force meeting was in compliance to a directive of the Federal Government that the State Task Force on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunisation meet regularly, to discuss way forward in the eradication of Polio and other childhood killer diseases and to strengthen routine immunisation .
The meeting in his words will allow stakeholders review government input, evaluate output, appraise the decleared output and also assess the impact and find solutions to problems militating against achieving set goals .
Dr Adegbenro added that the State has improved in all indicators of primary Healthcare activities as assessed by the World Health Organisation(WHO)and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency(NPHCDA) making the first among the Southern States.
Moving the vote of thanks, the Executive Secretary of f the Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu thank ed the governor for priotising primary healthcare and for providing neccessary logistics and support the as has brought primary healthcare to where it is.
He added that the support and response enjoyed from stakeholders is producing the desired results .
Abooluwa Famakinwa
Press Officer Health.
Study @ Achievers University
