In a major boost to Primary Health Care delivery and human resources for health In Ondo State, 930 newly employed health professionals have started collecting their letters of appointment in the state.
The distribution of the letters according to a statement signed by one Ayo Falana, is coordinated by The Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA) across the 18 local government areas in the state.
Falana affirmed that the exercise which begun at the OSPHCDA’s headquarters in Akure on Thursday, is for all cadres of health professionals.
“The exercise, which began today at the Agency’s headquarters in Akure, covers medical doctors, nurses, midwives, community health extension workers, laboratory scientists, pharmacy technicians, health information officers, and other cadres,” he said.
Falana explained further that the new recruits are expected to fill critical manpower gaps in all the Primary Health Care facilities across the state.
Speaking during the flag-off of the distribution, the Permanent Secretary of OSPHCA, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, described the recruitment as a deliberate and timely intervention by the State Government to strengthen frontline health services and improve access to quality care at the grassroots. He noted that the process was merit-based, transparent, and aligned with the State’s Human Resource for Health Policy.
Akanbiemu commended the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for his unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of the people. He stated that the Governor’s approval of the large-scale recruitment demonstrates uncommon political will and a clear understanding that a functional health system begins with skilled and motivated personnel.
He added that the newly recruited health workers have undergone documentation and will be deployed immediately to underserved and hard-to-reach communities. This, he said, will significantly reduce patient waiting time, improve antenatal and immunization coverage, and strengthen the State’s response to maternal and child health challenges.
The Permanent Secretary who noted that the Aiyedatiwa administration has continued to prioritised health as a critical Pillar of tis development agenda, cited the recent revitalisation of PHCs, provision of essential drugs, training of health workers as further proof of the Governor’s resolve to achieve universal health coverage in Ondo State.
A total of 800 staff across the various cadres were employed in addition to the earlier 130 doctors and nurses employed making a total of 930 professionals employed in the first batch of the recruitment.
Beneficiaries who received their letters expressed profound gratitude to the Governor for the opportunity to serve.
Mrs. Adebimpe Olorunfemi, a newly appointed nurse-midwife, Mrs Ajibike Afolayan and Azeez Olayinka pharmacy technician and scientific Officer respectively described the recruitment as “life-changing” and pledged on behalf of her colleagues to justify the confidence reposed in them through diligence, professionalism, and compassion for patients.
OOSPHCDA has however informed members of the public that the deployment of the new health professionals will be closely monitored to ensure equitable distribution and optimal service delivery.
The agency therefore enjoined Community leaders and Ward Development Committees to provide a conducive environment for the staff to thrive in their duty posts.
