The Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency said it is collaborating with the 18 local governments in the state to strengthen the primary healthcare system for effective service delivery.

Speaking at a meeting with the chairmen of local governments in Akure on Thursday, the Permanent Secretary, OSPHCDA, Dr Francis Akanbiemu,  described the chairmen as critical stakeholders in the primary healthcare system.

Mr Akanbiemu commended the chairmen for prioritising the healthcare system and the well-being of the people at the grassroots.

According to him, the primary healthcare has been receiving the best support from the chairmen since they came on board.

Mr Akanbiemu said the best way the PHC could show appreciation was to ensure that the healthcare system performance was optimal.

He noted that Ondo State was the only state where there is standard laboratory system and ultra sound machines in all the local government areas.

The permanent secretary told the chairmen that the Gov. Lucky Ayedatiwa-led administration had started collaborating with the World Bank to revitalise health facilities to boast healthcare delivery across the state.

He expressed optimism of better days for the health system as another World Bank project named “Hope Health” was in the pipeline to implement grant in aid to the health system with the aim of completing and upgrading of health facilities in the 203 wards of the state.

Mr Akanbiemu stated that the PHC coordinators must take bidding from their respective chairmen, who would provide oversight functions, and if there were infractions, the chairman should inform the agency’s management.

Speaking, the Director of Diseases Control and Immunization, Dr Victor Adefesoye, thanked the chairmen for their support during routine immunisation programmes and the just concluded National Immunisation Plus Days.

Mr Adefesoye informed the chairmen that the collaboration was to lift the PHC system to an enviable heights.

Speaking on the performance of the health system, the state Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Gbenga Fasua, commended the state government’s efforts at combating killer diseases, especially at eradicating polio.

(NAN)