Community Participation In Healthcare Delivery Is Important- Ogun Commissioner

 

Community Participation In Healthcare Delivery Is Important- Ogun Commissioner

Communities across Ogun State have been urged to collaborate with the Government to participate in the delivery of quality, affordable healthcare services to their people by supporting Government Scheme on adopt a Primary Healthcare Centre.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker who stated this in Abeokuta, at the Ordinary General Meeting of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), Ogun State, said that, Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration has invested in the health sector, especially on infrastructure, by upgrading health facilities in secondary, primary and tertiary hospitals. 

She said Government has looked at sustainable ways of delivering health services and launched its health Insurance Scheme, as well as launching the basic healthcare provision fund, as a way of financing all these investment, ensuring they do not waste in the future.

"We have a scheme called adopt a Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC), we don't want people to build new ones bcus we have 521 PHC across the 20 Local Government in Ogun and some of them are in delapidated state. The Governor has committed to renovate 236, remaining 285 that need intervention. So, each one of us can choose a PHC, go there, renovate, equip and employ staff to work there. Rather than starting new PHC, collaborate with us. Let us know where u want to get involved and we will put u through, so that we can plan it and you can av maximum impart on your investment" she said.

In his opening speech, the chairman of the association, Dr. Jimoh Babatunde while appreciating the State Government for ongoing renovation and upgrade in some facilities, explained that, the goal of health, such as improving the quality of life are achieved through social means, calling on communities, individuals, Government and healthcare professionals to accept responsibility for health and actively participating in attaining such goal.

In his lecture, Dr. Folahan Sholeye, a Consultant Community Physician, explained that, the existence of well established community structures was a major asset for effecient and effective delivery of public health services, pointing out community mobilization advances health as part of development, help people to help themselves and promote integration of health care in accordance with community priorities.

The high point of the event was the presentation of awards to some people who supported the health sector such as Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, Chairman, Board of Directors of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, who facilitated the construction and equipping of a stand- alone Paediatrics Unit in Ayetoro General Hospital. 

Also, Ambassador Isiaka Abolurin, the Balogun of Ipokia was honoured for renovating the theater and bought some equipment in Ipokia General Hospital among others awardees.

Passover Adeshina