Ondo State Government has enrolled no fewer than 20,533 vulnerable people in its Basic Health Care Provision Fund Programme (BHCPFP) for free healthcare services.
Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Wife of the state Gov. Tomi Akeredolu, made the disclosure on Thursday in Akure during distribution of insecticidal nets to pregnant women and children under five years.
The government also distributed health commodities to health facilities at the event used to publicise the government’s achievements in the health sector to mark the governor’s first 100 days in office for the second term.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu said that the beneficiaries would from July 1, begin to receive free healthcare services at the 203 accredited primary healthcare facilities in the state.
She said that the current administration had completed the state School of Public Health and Centre for Herbal Medicine and Drug Production.
The governor’s wife added that the government built a molecular biology laboratory and Centre for Molecular Biosciences and Medical Genomics at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, to strengthen the public health system.
According to her, the government has vaccinated 45,299 residents of the state with the first dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
She said that the government recruited 629 primary healthcare workers in its resolve to curb COVID-19 spread and improve healthcare service delivery.
“With the U.S. Embassy Consular-General and country director of the centre for disease control in attendance, the government successfully launched the HIV Treatment Surge.
“This will bring the number of clients on treatment from over 12,000 to over 29,000 by Sept. 30, and ensure that all HIV positive clients are linked to HIV treatment and care.
“At the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, government recently facilitated acquisition of a modernised Akindayomi-Adeboye Intensive Care Unit with haemodialysis unit – a comprehensive cardiac unit with hi-sense echo.
“The administration also recently completed renovation of a medical pathology laboratory building within the Ondo Complex of the UNIMED Teaching Hospital,” she added.
Earlier, Mrs Folukemi Aladenola, Permanent Secretary in Ondo State Ministry of Health, said that the administration had demonstrated commitment to healthcare service delivery.
Aladenola said that the administration prioritised the health and well-being of the state residents.
She said that in spite of paucity of funds, the administration had continued to strengthen the capacity of hospitals to deliver efficient and effective services.
“We are kicking off distribution of health commodities for use in our facilities and distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets to pregnant women and children under five years, today.
“A Toyota Hiace 18-seater bus will be handed over to the state Contributory Health Commission as well.
“This is to enhance activities of the commission set up by the present administration to enhance universal health coverage without financial embarrassment to beneficiaries,” she said.
The permanent secretary commended the governor’s wife for impactful, creative and invaluable complementary roles in the sector as well as support to actualise the governor’s vision. (NAN)
