Dr Babatunde Ipaye, Ogun State’s Commissioner for Health has submitted that the health care delivery system in the State will be further strengthened through the domestication of the National Health Act in the State.
This, he noted would create a pool of funds that would be expended on the heath policies and programmes of the State government.
Ipaye, who stated this while playing host to members of the State House of Assembly Committee on Health led by Hon. Israel Jolaoso in continuation of the on-going budget assessment visit to MDAs, explained that the step would help complement the existing community health insurance scheme (ARAYA’)which has been delivering qualitative and affordable health care to the people of the State.
The State Commissioner expressed optimism that that the all-encompassing act would assist in turning around the fortunes of the sector at all levels of government, explaining that the act made provision for a basic healthcare provision Fund, which will provide one per cent of Consolidated Revenue Fund to be disbursed for the advancement of national healthcare services at primary, secondary and tertiary level.
He noted that the act also provided funding from the federal government with counterpart funding from State and Local governments for the implementation of basic minimum health care package for the people.
Speaking on the achievements of the Ministry in the period under review, the Commissioner expressed that the Ministry in partnership with developmental partners distributed equipment to 52 maternity centres across all local government areas in the State, saying machineries had been set in motion to redesign the operation of the Ministry and other related agencies to further improve the health care service to the residents of the State.
Ipaye added that the Ministry had clamped down on about 256 illegal health facilities and revalidated 356 licences through medical auditing of maternity and pharmaceutical centres across the State, appealing for the speedy passage of the health insurance bill before the State House of Assembly. The Commissioner also reeled out the achievements of the State Primary Health Care Development Board and the State Hospital Management Board.
In their remarks, members of the Committee including Honourables Akinpelu Aina, Olusola Sonuga, Julianah Akintayo and Adebowale Ojuri, commended the Ministry for providing qualitative and efficient health care services through the effective coordination of all health programmes.
The lawmakers tasked the Ministry to improve on its public private partnership programme to complement government’s efforts on the development of facilities and equipment at the various health centre. The Committee also appraised the budget performance of the State Hospital, ijaye, Abeokuta.
Packaged by Hazeez Ayansola
