Health Stakeholders in Oyo Advocate for Improved Healthcare Accessibility and Quality

Governments at all levels have been urged to prioritize a collaborative and accountable relationship with citizens, focusing on providing unhindered health services to the public. 

Ambassador Semiye Michael, DEAN Initiative Executive Director with Dr. Muideen Olatunji, Executive Secretary Oyo State Primary Health Care Board

Health stakeholders issued this admonition at the State Health Sector Agenda Townhall Conversation on the COVID-19 Transparency Accountability Project, CTAP, held in Ibadan on Friday, November 10, 2023. The event, organized by the DEAN Initiative in partnership with Connected Development, CODE, and BudgiT, with support from Global Integrity, had in attendance government officials, healthcare professionals, civil society organizations, and community representatives.

Speaking at the forum, the Executive Director of the DEAN Initiative, Ambassador Semiye Michael, stated that the aim of the event is to facilitate engagement between citizens and the government and explore ways citizens can access wider health coverage. He emphasized that such avenues will provide the governments with an opportunity to explain their plans and agenda around the health sector in different states and in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Additionally, Semiye shared insights gained from extensive interactions across various regions of the country, including Enugu, Port Harcourt, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kaduna, Ilorin, and Maiduguri.

Participants at the State Health Sector Agenda Townhall Conversation on the COVID-19 Transparency Accountability Project (CTAP) , Ibadan

Participants at the State Health Sector Agenda Townhall Conversation on the COVID-19 Transparency Accountability Project (CTAP), Ibadan.

“These interactions from various regions have revealed significant challenges, such as personnel deficits at the primary healthcare center level, poor infrastructure and amenities, as well as shortages in medical equipment and facilities. Information management has also emerged as a key concern raised by citizens,” he said.

He also revealed that, on the part of the government, consistent challenges related to resources have been highlighted.

“The government has expressed concerns about the substantial gap in personnel recruitment, citing difficulties in finding young individuals or prospective health professionals. This, they explained, is exacerbated by the fact that healthcare professionals are leaving the country, contributing to a shortage of personnel. These issues collectively represent substantial challenges observed across the country,” Semiye noted.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, emphasized the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration's dedication and pledge to guarantee the provision of high-quality healthcare services at primary healthcare facilities within the state. The commissioner, represented by Dr. Muideen Olatunji, Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Board, highlighted the governor's commitment to improving and maintaining the standards of healthcare delivery at the grassroots level. She mentioned that the government had completed the renovation of 210 primary healthcare facilities out of the 351 facilities under the watch of the board.

Commenting on the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, she stated that the government worked effortlessly to combat the spread of the virus. She added that the Oyo State government was efficient and proactive in the delivery and eventual administration of the vaccine during the lockdown period. 

“Part of the problems that affected the state during the pandemic was the issue of inaccurate demographic data, as the state still relies on the 2006 census statistics. Also, poor network coverage in the country. However, despite all challenges Oyo state has achieved success in the fight against COVID-19. I urge everyone to take the vaccine, as it is still readily available at primary health care centers across the state,” Ajetunmobi said.

Furthermore, the commissioner admitted a shortage of personnel in the health facilities. She stressed the efforts of previous administrations in recruiting health personnel but stated that after each recruitment exercise, employed personnel would move out of the country, returning the situation to the status quo. She noted that the state government is working to address the challenge. Also, on the issue of human papillomavirus (HPV), she advised Nigerians to get tested on a yearly basis and ensure they also get the vaccine. She emphasized that HPV causes almost all cases of cervical cancer, affecting both men and women.