By Blessing Obams, JKNewsMedia Intern
PRIMARY HEALTHCARE Centers (PHCs) in Ogun State in Ogun State face a critical need for better equipment.
To address this, the state government is set to disburse grants and facilities to 236 PHC towards enhancing their infrastructure to meet international standards.
The move comes as part of a broader initiative to ensure that these centers align with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines.
This push toward improving PHC facilities will enable better health service delivery across the state, especially in rural areas where access to quality healthcare has been a persistent issue.
Governor Dapo Abiodun emphasized the state’s commitment to healthcare during a meeting with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), who gathered in Ogun for their 44th annual conference.
He outlined plans to invest in primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare, with a focus on upgrading health centers, training medical staff, and human capital development.
The governor revealed that a significant portion of the PHCs had already undergone major renovations, with solar energy installations and digital systems for patient record management now in place at about 100 centers.
These improvements aim to increase efficiency and enhance patient care.
Abiodun also reaffirmed the state’s dedication to supporting healthcare workers, including the consistent payment of hazard allowances and recent approvals for clinical duty and accoutrement allowances.
He expressed optimism that these measures would strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce and reduce brain drain among doctors.
The migration of healthcare professionals, both internationally and inter-state, remains a major challenge, as highlighted by NARD’s outgoing president, Dr. Dele Abdulahi.
He urged the government to consider introducing incentives like housing and car loans to curb the exodus of doctors from Ogun to other regions.
Governor Abiodun further encouraged NARD members to collaborate and exchange ideas during their meetings, stressing the importance of their contributions toward shaping health policies.
He promised that the state would be open to considering their recommendations for improving the health sector.
Efforts to expand the state’s health insurance scheme were also noted.
The programme, which has seen success among civil servants and the private sector, aims to make healthcare more accessible and affordable to a broader population.
