The Ondo State government has expressed its readiness to collaborate with Nigeria Union of Journalist, Ondo State Council, to improve the health care services of members.
The Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu stated this while receiving the Executive members of the Union who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
Akanbiemu said the government and particularly the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency was proud of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) in ondo state especially for the selfless roles played by the union during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
He said the impact of Journalists in the success recorded by the health sector in Ondo State cannot be quantified.
Akanbiemu said the Agency will take-up the provision of quarterly health check for NUJ members at the NUJ clinic noting that a delegation of health experts would be sent to assess the Clinic at the Press Centre to know where the Agency can assist the facility with both material and manpower.
While saying the effects of COVID-19 have reduced with less adherence to the protocols, Akanbiemu said the danger of variants is still there and therefore all eligible residents who were yet to take the vaccine should please visit the nearest facilities or designated centres for the vaccines noting that it is free, effective and safe
The Permanent Secretary said the vision of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, is to ensure that all residents of the state have access to quality health care services which informed the recent employment of over 800 health personnels to fill the vacancies in all the Primary Health Care facilities in the state.
He also urged the Journalist to help inform nursing mothers to always avail their Children for the routine immunization where he said Ondo State has been rated above all other South Western States of Nigeria in previous ratings of the exercise.
Earlier, the Chairman of NUJ Ondo State Council, Mr Leke Adegbite who led other Exco members on the visit, had appreciated the permanent Secretary for always making himself available or sent representative to NUJ events and programmes
Leke Adegbite told the Permanent Secretary that the Press centre has a clinic that was in need of assistance of health experts especially in carrying out check-up for members such as their Sugar level, Blood pressure, Hapatitis B and C etc.
The visit of NUJ to the Agency was in continuation of familiarization visits of the new executives to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.
Ayo Falana
OSPHCDA Media Officer