Kemi Olatunde
The need for communities to support Primary Health Care (PHC) services and reject misinformation about vaccination in Ondo State has been stressed.
Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr. Francis Akanbiemu spoke during a citizens’ town hall meeting on PHC which was organised by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with the OSPHCDA in Akure.
Speaking at the gathering, which brought together representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, healthcare workers, religious leaders, market leaders, youth groups, school owners and civil society organisations among others, Akanbiemu who was represented by the Director, Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr. Victor Adefesoye, called for collective action to strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.
According to him, the meeting aimed at sensitising communities on available healthcare services and ongoing primary healthcare revitalisation programmes noting that government has continued to improve health facilities through renovation, provision of modern equipment and recruitment of healthcare personnel to ensure better service delivery.
He highlighted the importance of maternal and child healthcare, especially immunisation, noting that vaccines remain safe and effective despite growing misinformation in some communities.