By Kemi Olatunde

Health workers in Ondo State have been advised to portray the state’s health sector in a positive light to attract more people to the system and foster further improvements.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Simidele Odimayo, gave the advice during a courtesy call to the state Hospitals Management Board (HMB).

According to him, the government has invested heavily in the sector, noting that increasing the number of health workers would help prevent overburdening the system.

Commending the board members for their commitment to improving the sector within a short period, he stated that they have encouraged secondary health facilities to patronise the State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency to strengthen the health system and ensure the availability of potent drugs in these facilities.

He said, “The government has constituted the board to improve the health sector. I appreciate the specific efforts made by the board members. I am pleased to see the dedication you have demonstrated through your visits to various secondary health facilities, agencies, and commissions for collaboration.”

He explained that the current administration has invested significantly in the sector, especially in workers’ welfare. He noted that the approval of salary increases for health workers reflects Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s passion for retaining and attracting more health professionals to the state.

Odimayo assured the board of the government’s support in addressing the challenges they face. He emphasised the need to mobilise resources and called for investors to contribute to the sector’s productivity and advancement.

He added that efforts would be made to ensure the availability of ambulances in secondary health facilities, provision of touring equipment, and the renovation of the HMB building, among other initiatives.

Earlier, the Board Chairman, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, thanked Prof. Odimayo for his visit and expressed appreciation to the board’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Ayodele Ojo, for making the work easier for members.

He noted that the board has visited secondary health facilities in Akure and expressed a desire to visit those in other Local Government Areas, calling on the Special Adviser for support, particularly in transportation.

He explained that the board had previously visited the State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency and the State Contributory Health Commission. He assured their commitment to patronising the agency and sensitising more people to enrol in the state health insurance scheme.

Fasoranti identified lack of funding, ambulances, and the need for renovations at the board’s building as major challenges, urging the government to address them. He also stressed the importance of enacting a coroner’s law in the state.

Board member Nurse Arinola Patience Adamolekun called for the employment of more health workers and the absorption of casual workers into the system.

Another member, Dr Rotimi Wilson, stated that with the current board in place, secondary health facilities would reach unprecedented standards in the state.

Pharmacist Taiwo Adefurin, also a board member, called for empowering board members in the area of monitoring.

The Permanent Secretary of the HMB, Dr Ayodele Ojo, called for special interventions in secondary healthcare to ensure the system’s effective functioning. He emphasised the need to eliminate disparities in the salary structure of health workers to prevent internal migration within the state.