Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday, called for a stronger synergy between the federal and state government particularly in the area of provision of quality healthcare services to the people.
Abiodun made the call when the Board of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
He noted that since the objective of government at the centre and states was effective healthcare delivery to all Nigerians, there was need for health institutions at both levels of government to complement each other.
“There is lack of synergy between the state and the FMC. Last year when we had the first case of Covid-19 in our State, nobody knew Covid-19 for what it was but thank God our health team was able to rise to the occasion.
During that time, I felt something was missing. It began to appear as if there were some forms of competition which I wondered about. I would expect that our roles should be complementary as against that which is competitive. I hope that following this meeting, we will begin to see a difference in the relationship that exists between the state and the FMC”, Abiodun said.
Data gathering system
The Governor said his administration was putting in place a data gathering system in the entire value chain of its health sector with a view to tracking not just patients, but also the prevalence of different kinds of diseases
“We are putting in place a Data Gathering System in the entire value chain of our health care system so that we can begin to track not just the patients but the prevalence of different kinds of diseases. What is most prevalent among our people, when we have data, we can manage our people better,” he said.
He stated further that the state is home to many people whose healthcare needs must be met, adding that his administration was open to partnership in the area of healthcare delivery.
“It is important for us to have as many medical facilities as possible. Our state is a home to a lot of people and we must ensure that we cater for their health needs. So wherever we can find partnership in the healthcare, we will embrace it”, he added.
Refurbishment of primary healthcare centres
Abiodun hinted the FMC management that his administration has taken steps to return the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, to its lost glory, disclosing primary health centres in the grassroots are receiving face lift to complement secondary and tertiary health facilities in the state.
He said the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta was at the forefront of providing quality healthcare services to the people and his administration would support the Emergency Ward of the health facility with beddings and other accessories, to continue to discharge on its core mandate.
The Chairman of the Hospital Board, Dr. Abdulaziz Labo Mahuta, lauded the governor for his developmental strides particularly in the health sector and said the state was gradually regaining its enviable position in healthcare delivery in the country.
Accompanied by the Vice Chairman of the Board, Benedict Godson and the Medical Director, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu and other members, Mahuta called for assistance of the state in the areas of adequate water supply, electricity, tarring of the access road linking the hospital’s new site.
He also invited the governor to perform the inauguration of the Telemedicine Facility and other projects scheduled to take place soon in the hospital.
Nneka Ukachukwu
