Gov Oyebanji declares free malaria treatment for women, others

Gov Oyebanji

Ekiti Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has declared free malaria treatment for children under five years, pregnant women and the aged in the State, in addition to free delivery for pregnant women across the 177 primary health care centres across the State, under ‘Ulera Wa Scheme’.

Governor Oyebanji, made this known in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday while commissioning the Okesa Comprehensive Health Centre, fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, in Ado Ekiti, as part of activities marking the first anniversary of his administration.

He stated that the welfare and well-being of the citizens remain a top priority of his government, adding that he would not leave anyone behind in the provision of quality health services, especially for children under five years of age.

The governor said that his administration had more than ever before, allocated more resources to both secondary and tertiary health institutions in the state, having approved an aggressive and immediate renovation of those facilities in the State.

He hinted that health workers in the state have started enjoying hazard allowance and other benefits since March 2023, just as his government has given approval for Hospitals Management Board to fill consequential vacancies occasioned by retirement of various cadres of workforce to allow for effectiveness and efficiency of the sector.

Oyebanji added that the Primary Health Centre is the gateway to any healthcare delivery, adding that that was the reason he had joined hands with his siblings to build a maternity facility in Aramoko Ekiti General Hospital in memory of their late mother, due for commissioning later in the year.

The Governor also revealed that his government has approved the hosting of the 64th National Council of Health in Ekiti with the belief that their deliberations in the state would have positive and indelible impact on the healthcare delivery in the State.

According to him, “I am here to commission this newly equipped facility which was built through the effort of the Response Resources Mobilization Committee (RRMC) in collaboration with Ekiti State Government.

“This administration has now equipped this facility to ensure it serves our people. You will agree with me that the health of Ekiti citizens takes front burner in the programmes and policies of our administration. We are living to our determination and promise not to leave anyone behind in matters of health services delivery.

“Our commitment to ensuring universal health coverage is daily yielding impressive results, as the state’s flagship health insurance programme known as ‘Ulera wa’ has become accessible in 177 health facilities in the state, fully covering children under age five as well as some people with disability.

“With Ulera wa, no woman should have to pay for delivery at any of our PHCs in Ekiti. To ensure services are available at the point of use, we have in addition to this facility committed resources to our secondary health facilities as well. Our tertiary health facility, EKSUTH. It is currently being worked upon to make sure that our critical infrastructure is well maintained to provide comfort, quality and safe healthcare for our clients.

“I addition to this, the welfare of healthcare workers in the state has been prioritized, this administration has approved the payment of hazard allowance for health workers in the state public service. Health workers have enjoyed the implementation of hazard allowance since March 2023.”

Earlier the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani commended the Governor for the various motivation he had given health workers in the state by increasing their salaries and granting them hazard allowance.

The Commissioner noted that the importance of Comprehensive Health Centre cannot be underestimated as it is the gateway to any effective and efficient healthcare facilities he stressed the need to provide all necessary requirements to deliver good quality services for the people at this level.

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