Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has pledged to establish quality healthcare as a fundamental right for every citizen, aiming to boost life expectancy and safeguard the state’s progress in reducing child and maternal mortality rates.
The governor made this commitment on Thursday in Ado Ekiti while flagging off the distribution of equipment to Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and commissioning a new Pharma-Grade Warehouse at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) complex.
Oyebanji stated that his administration is resolved to tackle drug counterfeiting head-on, a menace that can lead to sudden death and severe ailments.
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He stressed the importance of PHCs, noting that they are the closest and most affordable health facilities for people at the grassroots.
He highlighted that the new Drug Management Agency (DMA) pharma-grade warehouse and the distribution of medical equipment demonstrate the government’s commitment to public health.
The warehouse, constructed with support from the Global Fund, is a crucial component for an efficient and transparent drug management system, providing the DMA with the infrastructure to operate at the highest professional standard.
Oyebanji was optimistic that the facility will ensure the continuous supply of quality, safe, and affordable medical commodities, effectively curbing the circulation of fake and substandard drugs.
He noted that the DMA’s average monthly revenue has significantly increased from ₦28 million to ₦75 million, reflecting improved efficiency and accountability in the drug supply system.
Speaking on the impact of the state’s health services, the governor revealed that about 200,000 Ekiti residents have benefitted from the Ulera Wa health services, with nearly 750,000 people having benefited since the initiative began.
This, he said, has reduced out-of-pocket health expenditure and bolstered access to quality care.
He further disclosed that before the establishment of the DMA, only about 43% of health facilities in the state had regular access to essential medicines, a figure that has now soared to 89%.
Primary healthcare coverage currently stands at 80%, while both secondary and tertiary facilities have achieved 100% coverage.
The governor added that the revitalization of 103 primary healthcare facilities across the 16 local government areas under the World Bank-supported IMPACT project is a strategic investment toward achieving Universal Health Coverage.
To address manpower shortages, Oyebanji confirmed that his government has made deliberate efforts to improve the welfare of health workers through enhanced salary structures and has approved the recruitment of 100 additional health workers for PHCs and 150 for Secondary Health Facilities.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Oyebanji Filani, praised the governor’s speedy approval of the counterpart funding, which enabled the state to secure the Global Fund-supported warehouse, noting that the state was not initially slated to be a beneficiary of the project.
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The General Manager of the state Drug Management and Supply Agency, Olajide Kolawole, described the warehouse project as a remarkable first in the country.
He confirmed that the agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with reputable international bodies to ensure effective drug regulation, acquisition, and supply in the state.
