Kemi Olatunde

In order to ensure a healthier, safer and more equitable Ondo State, the Ondo State Government is set to construct 50 to 100-bed facilities in at least five secondary health centres across the three senatorial districts.

Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, gave the hint while closing the five-day Ondo State Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative (MAMII) co-creation workshop in Akure on Friday.

According to him, the workshop has laid the groundwork for transformative actions that will shape the future of maternal and newborn health in the state, noting that it has identified challenges including inadequate staffing, structural issues, poor road networks and lack of security personnel.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Olaide Adelami, while reiterating his administration’s unwavering commitment to improving healthcare delivery across the state, assured the implementation of the workshop recommendations. These include subsidising essential medications and healthcare services, especially for pregnant women and children; provision of incentives for pregnant women; increased funding allocations to primary and secondary health facilities to enhance regular operations; provision of alternative power supply to guarantee uninterrupted care during deliveries and emergencies; recruitment of additional health personnel to fill existing workforce gaps; and the deployment of security personnel to safeguard lives, property and ensure 24-hour access to healthcare services.

Speaking further, he said that the government is “rehabilitating 102 primary healthcare facilities across the state. We equally remain committed to strengthening and expanding the Abiyamo Scheme, BHCPF and ORANGHIS to reduce out-of-pocket spending and ensure wider coverage for our citizens.”

He expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Health, Development Partners and other stakeholders for their support of the sector and called on more partners to support the state in addressing some of the challenges identified in this workshop, adding that “we are resolved to do everything possible to reduce maternal and child deaths in our state.”

The Director and Head of the Child Health Division, Department of Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr (Mrs) Aminat Mohammed, while presenting the outcome of the MAMII activation in the state, stressed the urgent need to improve maternal and child health outcomes. She noted that the state has made commendable progress in Skilled Birth Attendance, with performance consistently above 80 percent across Q3 2024 to Q1 2025.

MAMII, according to her, aims to strengthen maternal and newborn health outcomes through a multisectoral, community-focused, and data-driven approach aligned with national priorities and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP).

Presenting the MAMII action plan to the Governor, Mohammed said that the state is positioned to lead Nigeria in advancing maternal and newborn health outcomes and called on him to turn it into impactful action.

In his opening remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Michael Simidele Odimayo, noted that it is important to improve the health sector to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and also to obtain better services and outcomes.

While commending Governor Aiyedatiwa’s efforts in attaining zero mortality in the state, he called on stakeholders to do the needful in eradicating maternal mortality.

In his goodwill message, the representative of the World Health Organization, Amadi Stephen, while noting that the organisation supports all spheres of health interventions in the state, encouraged the state to submit a proposal on areas of collaboration with WHO.

The representative of MSI Reproductive Choices, Kikelomo Akinmoyewa, while expressing appreciation to the state leadership for its collaboration, noted that it has been strengthening collaboration with the state government to ensure effective family planning services and also the strengthening of health practitioners’ skills.

According to her, in a few days, it will be scaling training for 100 service providers to reduce the maternal mortality rate in the state and assured the state of continued support.

The State Lead for the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) in Ondo State, Mr Olamide Ayedun, stated that the organisation has provided both financial and technical support for the Government of the state and the Ministry of Health, stating that “we are committed to the success of this MAMII intervention and project.”

The representative of the Corona Management System, Dr Obiangeli Onwusaka, also pledged support for the project, noting that it is currently supporting the federal government in the implementation of MAMII projects in beneficiary states in Nigeria.

According to her, the organisation will support the notification of maternal deaths in communities and provide technical assistance among other services.