Teslim Folarin, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has promised to revitalize healthcare system in the state when he becomes the helmsman of the state.
The three-term senator made this known at the ongoing parley with health workers in the state, adding that he would create health trust in each government hospital across the state.
Speaking in Yoruba and English interchangeably, Folarin, whose speech drew intermittent applause from the medical officers, said he would establish cardiovascular centres in the state.
Explaining the the University College Hospital, UCH, is overstretched, Folarin said that as a lawmaker representing Oyo central senatorial district, he has made significant interventions in the health sector of Oyo State by facilitating four standard healthcare facilities.
Disclosing that he was not at the session to reel out the inefficiency of the incumbent government, he quoted a recent study published by Punch newspaper which shows that Oyo State is currently ranked 12th out of 36 States in terms of healthcare provision and last in Southwest Zone. According to the Asaaju Olubadan of Ibadan, Oyo was 8th on the long before the Seyi Makinde administration was inaugurated.
“I feel honoured to address critical stakeholders in the health sector of Oyo State. We (the public office holders) owe you an enormous debt – not just because you are caring for the sick but because you are risking your lives in the line of duty.
“I am not here to reel out the inefficiency of the incumbent government in Oyo State to your hearings but this platform provides me an opportunity to constructively access the health sector of our State.
“Frankly speaking, Oyo State’s health sector is in shambles in terms of infrastructure, equipment and intolerable working conditions of health workers. Some other glaring problems include under-staffing in our hospitals, expensive treatment and unavailability of basic drugs. The situation is all the more tragic in rural areas.
“It is worth noting the University College Hospital is the biggest public-sector hospital in Oyo State, which is visited by thousands of common people on a daily basis for receiving emergency care and getting routine treatments and tests done. But the institution is overstretched. Hence, the need to comprehensively upgrade all the state-owned hospitals and also provide new standard ones to serve the lacking communities.
“As a lawmaker representing Oyo Central senatorial district, I have made significant interventions in the health sector of Oyo State by facilitating four (4) standard healthcare facilities vis-a-vis Primary Healthcare Centre, Pade in Akinyele LGA; Primary Healthcare Centre, Olode in Oluyole LGA; Araromi Market in Oyo East LGA and the latest one, which is due for commissioning is 100-bed Mother-Child Specialist Hospital Abode in Ona-Ara LGA.
“A recent study shows that Oyo State is currently ranked 12th out of 36 States in terms of healthcare provision and last in Southwest Zone. Before Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration was inaugurated, our state was 8th on the log (www.healthwise.punchng.com and www.stateofthestates.kingmakers.com.ng). To me and to the good people of Oyo state, this is a reversal of fortune. However, I must commend all our health workers for risking your lives to save lives.
“Having realised that only a handful of citizens can afford treatment in private hospitals, our administration shall reform the health sector of Oyo State. Our government shall not only upgrade the public health infrastructure in the state but also make required provisions to save lives and treat people. The onus lies on the government to take care of its citizens by all means necessary and our administration will not pay lips service to the health sector.
“Our mission for the health sector of Oyo State is to improve quality of life by making healthcare delivery available, accessible and affordable. Permit me to quickly highlight some of my health reform programmes:
“Revitalization of services and renovation of Rjng Road State Hospital Ibadan
“Expansion of the state Ambulance services
“Establishment of Cardiovascular Centre at Ring Road State Hospital, State Hospitals across Oyo.
“Quality improvement Health care service delivery – Public Private Partneership for some hospitals clinical , non clinical and diagnostic services
“Sustaining and revitalizing the Primary Health Care Board
“Expansion of the Semi autonomous status for some hospitals
“Establishment of a Drug Distribution Centre
“Upgrading and Renovation of state and General Hospitals and Health Institutions
“Completion and Provision of the medical equipment for the sustainance of accreditation of LAUTECH teaching hospital, College of Nursing and College of Health Technology
“Provision and sustenance of the Health Insurance for the citizens of the State
“Sustenance of the regulation of private health care facilities to ensure compliance to minimum standard of health care practices
“Sustaining collaboration with Donors and partners in terms man power development , counterpart contribution, equipment and renovation
“Introduction of Electronic Medical Record to some Health activities, eg health care Service delivery, registration of Private hospital
“Furthermore, our administration shall implement WHO Charter on Health Worker Safety.
“To connect the dots between policies on patient safety and health worker safety.
”To develop and implement national programmes for the occupational health and safety of health workers.
“To protect health workers from violence in the workplace.
“To improve the mental health and psychological well-being of health workers;
“To protect health workers from physical and biological hazards.
“No country, hospital or clinic can keep its patients safe unless it keeps its health workers safe. Now more than ever, we have a duty to give health workers the safe working conditions, the training, the pay and the respect they deserve.
Together, we shall move Oyo State Forward for Growth and Development!,” the statement added.
