Ondo HoS urges stakeholders to sensitise residents on IMPACT project

By Kemi Olatunde
Stakeholders have been urged to promote the Primary Health Care (PHC) Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transformation Services (IMPACT) project across Ondo State to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery.
Ondo State Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Bayo Philip, made this call on Tuesday during the opening of a stakeholders’ engagement meeting on the IMPACT project in Akure.

According to him, stakeholders play a vital role in the government’s implementation of the project. He emphasized the need to sensitize residents about the functionality of PHC facilities, especially in areas such as antenatal care, delivery care, postnatal care, family planning, immunization, and malaria treatment.
Describing the project as comprehensive, Philip stated that the state is fully committed to it, aligning with the government’s vision for an efficient healthcare system. He revealed that the government is revitalizing 102 PHC facilities to ensure effective service delivery. Additionally, 216 laptops have been distributed to 203 Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) facilities and 13 local government areas that previously lacked functional laptops for Health Management Information Officers. Training on the use of the laptops followed the distribution.
The HoS also announced the government’s readiness to recruit more health workers into the PHC system to enhance the health sector.
In his welcome address, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), commended Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for his commitment to improving the state’s health indices. He noted that PHCs provide 70% of health services to residents and highlighted the Governor’s continued investment in the agency.
Dr. Akanbiemu explained that the IMPACT project aims to reverse negative health indices in Nigeria, offering various interventions to achieve positive outcomes.
UNICEF representative Mr. Tunde Ayoade emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable development goals, particularly those focused on the health and well-being of children and women. He described the IMPACT project as a remarkable example of partnerships addressing critical challenges and improving the lives of vulnerable populations.
He affirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Ondo State’s development agenda, stating, “The UNICEF Lagos Field Office remains fully committed to working with the government, civil society, and communities to ensure the success and sustainability of this initiative.”
In her goodwill message, Mrs. Idowu Temilade, representing the Finance Commissioner, described the project as a crucial step toward addressing the health needs of residents and pledged the Ministry’s support.
Dr. Christopher Ogunlana, Chairman of the House Committee on Health, highlighted PHC as the first point of contact for patients seeking quality healthcare. He expressed optimism about the project’s potential to improve the health system and called for further development of PHC facilities.
Dr. Ayodele Adiji, Permanent Secretary of the Hospitals’ Management Board, praised both federal and state governments for the project and urged improvements to secondary healthcare facilities.
Dr. Abiodun Oyeneyin, Director-General of the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission, congratulated the state and the OSPHCDA on the project and pledged the commission’s support in strengthening the health sector.
Pharm. Amos Ayegbusi, Executive Secretary of the Ondo State Drug and Health Commodity Management Agency, assured stakeholders of the agency’s commitment to the successful implementation of the project.
High Chief Sola Adegbonmire, representing the Deji of Akure, acknowledged the importance of PHCs and called for more health initiatives in the state to bolster its healthcare system.