Ibadan: Policy Makers, Health Workers, Community Leaders, Others Meet To Improve Primary Healthcare Delivery
As part of efforts to improve healthcare service delivery and encourage citizens active participation in primary healthcare system, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, and the Centre for Communication and Social Impact, CCSI in collaboration with the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board has organised a day Townhall meeting in Ibadan.
The meeting provided avenue for stakeholders including Traders, Artisans, Religious and Community leaders, health workers, the Civil Society Organizations to brainstorm and chart the way forward for better service delivery on four thematic health issues.
The discourse centered on Immunization, Ante-Natal care, Infant healthcare and Family planning.
The Scientific Officer, NPHCDA, Abuja, Hajia Halimat Yusuf explained that the agency is always committed to providing functional and accessible healthcare centres to all Nigerians, irrespective of their locations and socio-economic status.
Hajia Yusuf appealed to stakeholders to use their platforms for public enlightenment on the need for citizens to make use of healthcare centres for treatment of diseases.
The Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Muhydeen Olatunji, represented by the Director Disease Control and Immunization, Dr John Osoko said the reduction in child and maternal mortality in the state was possible with stakeholders support.
According to him, “healthcare programmes under Governor Seyi Makinde are people-centric, as healthcare centres are well equipped with state of the art medical facilities”.
Dr Olatunji stated that the state government has also employed more health workers and supplies drugs for patients in all health centres.
He stressed that the meeting was to solicit further stakeholders support and receive feedback from the citizens.
In a remark, Oyo state chairman, Ward Development Committee, Alhaji Abdulfatah Oloyede pledged to increase the number of volunteers for effective mobilization of people at the grassroots to access healthcare centres.
Similarly, the state secretary, Community Development Committee, CDC, Chief John Dunmoye acknowledged that the state government accorded top priority to citizens health care services.
Oyo state chairperson, Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria, FOMWAN, Dr Latifat Dairo and the state Secretary, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Mrs Caroline Abiola commended healthcare workers for their professionalism in attending to the retirees, promised continued partnership with Oyo state government to ensure citizens active participation in primary healthcare system.
Representative of registered Community Birth Attendants, CBAs, Mrs Comfort Adedeji confirmed that synergy with the state government had increased number of referrals, conformity to family planning methods and safe delivery among mothers.
Mrs Adedeji commended Governor Seyi Makinde for sponsoring 50 children of CBAs into the Oyo State College of Midwifery.
Highlights of the citizens Townhall meeting was a technical session/group discussion facilitated by a CSSI Consultant, Dr Oluwatoyin Afachung with focus on observation and evaluation of staffing, health workers attitudes, equipment and infrastructure, access to healthcare service and service delivery.
The participants grouped into four are expected to come up with recommendations for government as a way forward.
