We’ll revamp primary healthcare system – Akeredolu  

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state insists that his administration will not stop until the state’s primary healthcare system is totally revamped and reposition.

He says he will not stop until the state’s healthcare sector becomes virile and dependable one.

Akeredolu stated this on Wednesday during the third quarter polio eradication and routine immunisation task force meeting at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, Akure, the state capital.

The governor, who expressed delight over a report that Ondo State has remained free from the Wild Polio Virus for about nine years in a row, said the feat was worth mentioning because the state health workers’ diligent services assisted in reducing the barest minimum  the morbidity and mortality associated with vaccine-preventable diseases.

He said: “Analysed data of our dear state shows that the average coverage of Penta-3 (the third dose of pentavalent vaccine) from January to August 2018 was 91%. This shows that 9 out of 10 children vaccinated in our health facilities will remain within the vaccination pool to receive the third dose of pentavalent vaccine that is taken at 14 weeks of birth.

“The figure is encouraging, no doubt, but because the one child out of 10 who drops out of the safe net is a danger to all other vaccinated children, our noble job of polio eradication and routine immunisation is yet to be completed.

“Consequently, our role as a team is to review our strategies, identify gaps and proffer solutions immediately in order for all under-one children to benefit maximally from this cheap but highly effective intervention.”

Akeredolu therefore added that for the state’s primary healthcare system to be completely revamped and repositioned for effective service delivery, his government would prioritise relevant infrastructural upgrading, particularly medical and laboratory equipment.

The governor also promised to address the shortage of the needed man-power for the adequate coverage of the routing polio immunisation programme. This, he said, would ensure the state become a totally polio free zone in the country.

 YOMI AYELESO, Akure