By Precious Owolabi, Ado-Ekiti

The Ekiti State Government has lauded the Federal Government for donating multi-million naira worth of medical equipment and consumables to the state to bring about a radical improvement in the health sector.

The Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the commendation in Ado Ekiti on Thursday while handing over the hospital equipment and drugs donated by the Federal Government to the Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EKSPHDA).

The Deputy Governor, in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, disclosed that the materials were donated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to uplift the quality of healthcare delivery in the state.

Mrs Afuye added that the materials would be distributed to primary healthcare facilities in seven local government areas across the three senatorial districts to ensure effective and quality service delivery.

The state’s number two citizen itemised the equipment and consumables to include: ECG machine for the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), urine analyser for Oba Adejugbe General Hospital, hospital beds, suction machines, wheelchairs, stethoscopes, drugs, among others.

She noted that Governor Biodun Oyebanji places a high premium on the health and wellbeing of citizens, which accounted for the enrolment of an aggregate of 3.6 million residents into the Ulera Wa health insurance scheme, 10,000 pensioners for insurance coverage, and 210,619 girls vaccinated against the Human Papilloma Virus.

“I want to emphasize that Ekiti State Government places high premium on the primary healthcare and wellbeing of Ekiti people. The state has put in place various health initiatives like enrolment of 3.6m residents into Ulera Wa healthcare insurance scheme.

“Over 400,000 residents benefitted free healthcare delivery in 2024, 10,000 pensioners captured into our insurance policy, 71,293 screened for diabetes and hypertension, 210,619 girls vaccinated against HPV, provision of tablets to all primary health facilities and provision of 600,603 vitamin A supplements to children.

“I appreciate NIMASA for counting Ekiti worthy of these donations. We know it can’t go round, but we value it and I appeal to our health professionals to make effective and quality use of these materials,” the Deputy Governor stated.

The General Manager of EKSEMA, Mr Oludare Asaolu, expressed optimism that the equipment would enhance human capital development, which encompasses improved and radical healthcare advancement and general welfare of the citizens, as encapsulated in Oyebanji’s policy thrust.

The SEMA boss added that the philanthropic gesture would go a long way in boosting access to healthcare delivery, improving the proficiency of medical staff, and reducing child and maternal mortality indices in the state.

In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Prof Kayode Olabanji, commended Governor Oyebanji for his huge investment in the sector, saying it has helped mitigate mortality and morbidity rates.

“If you go round our health facilities, so many projects are ongoing. Since he assumed office, Governor Oyebanji has donated many equipment to EKSUTH. There is no investment that is too much for the health sector, because health is wealth,” the medical practitioner said.

In their separate submissions, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, and the Executive Secretary, EKSPHDA, Dr Rasheed Adepoju, said partnerships with productive agencies and private bodies attested to the fact that Governor Oyebanji places high premium on the welfare of Ekiti citizens.

They added that collaborations with corporate organisations and Federal Government agencies have helped to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates through improved access to healthcare and enhanced professionalism in the sector.