Achievements As Commissioner for Health

As Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, I set up a program of action geared towards revolutionising the entire health sector. Our objective in the ministry of health was to ensure rapid socio-economic development as well as promote the welfare of citizens in Ogun State. The functions of the Ministry are in line with the National Health Policy, 1988 and the demands of the Social Services.

Research and Training
As an epidemiologist, I place a lot of value in studying the factors affecting the health of my community. The knowledge gained from these factors have served as the foundation of many interventions made in the interest of public health.

A community can only be built if the people have the knowledge required to build it.  I have ensured that my team, in the department of planning, research and statistics are well trained and equipped to work on issues ranging from outbreak investigation, environmental exposure and health promotion, particularly in the field of HIV/AIDS and Polio.

My team have also been equipped to gather information required for accurate planning and projection. I have deployed my experience to gather, research, collate and provide data on health issues. The result of the through research is in a publication, which is currently used as an encyclopaedia of health information for Ogun State. This qualitative research has also been used as a platform to develop the health strategy for Ogun State. The foundation has been set for a first class ministry for health.

Health Initiatives
I am particularly proud of the success of OGRUMED (Ogun state Rural
Medical Scheme), this initiative has enabled us to provide free secondary health care services to four local government areas.

Iyabo at healthcare eventOGRUMED has also been able to provide free eye treatment with the delivery of free eyeglasses to ALL local government areas in Ogun State. This was done in collaboration with specialist eye surgeons from the ophthalmologic society of Nigeria who provided free cataract surgeries through out the state

The provision of new ambulances, placed at strategic locations on the expressway to rescue accident victims has also been a phenomenal success. It is my desire to eliminate careless loss of lives on our roads. Every life is precious and should be valued.

In alliance with the National Action Committee on Aids (NACA), we have organised a number of public enlightenment programs, seminars, workshops and seminars to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS

Staff Retention and Empowerment
As a nation we deserve the best health service and we have worked to ensure Iyabo rewardingthat we retain the best medical personnel to deliver the best health service to our citizens. Training and retention of staff is a key initiative of my ministry. Several key members of staff have been trained at Harvard University (USA) and the knowledge they have acquired has been disseminated to other staff.

I have achieved more than I set out to but still have more that I want to accomplish for my people. Yesterday’s solutions may no longer be applicable to tomorrow’s issues.

Health Roadmap
These are the key initiatives I set out to achieve
  • Advising on the introduction of health reforms and enabling legislation as and when necessary
  • Ensuring political commitment of Government towards the realization of the National Health Policy
  • To mobilize all possible human resources in order to implement the State health strategy to the fullest and to re-allocate these resources as equitably as possible
  • To encourage education and cultural sector to participate in wide-range Health Education activities in Communities, School and other education training and cultural institutions.
  • To organize Primary Health Care in Communities and to provide guidelines and practical support to these communities that organizes their own Primary Health Care.
  • Ensuring the education and training of Health Personnel.
A Record of Progress
These are brief details of our achievement under my administration as commissioner for health
  • Building two new General Hospitals in the state.
    • Ewekoro local Government and Ijebu North East local Government.
  • Restoration of General Hospitals.
    • Ibiade General Hospital, used as part of the Government Rural Healthcare programme
    • Ishaga General Hospital
  • Rehabilitation of the school of Nursing, Ijebu-Ode and re-establishment of accreditation to the school.
  • Rehabilitation of School of health technology, Ilese and reviving the school of Nursing Ilaro
  • Distribution of Ambulances (four) to the General Hospital and revamping the accident and emergency services program of the state.
  • Employment of 500 people into the ministry of health and Hospital management Board to replace personnel lost over the years that had not been replaced and also to provide adequate staffing of our facilities.
  • Polio Vaccination programme and improvement in immunisation coverage
  • Launch of Ogun State rural medical scheme (ORUMED)
  • Purchasing of medical equipment for state hospitals and supporting local government primary health centres with medical equipment.
  • Capacity building of medical personnel including staff training of four senior management staff at Harvard University USA
  • Provision of mosquito nets for women and children at the General hospital.
  • Opening of health post at the Odeda Farm, Owode youth centre for OGEGEP students.
  • Training of Medical practitioners on basic hygiene and sanitation.
  • Revamping and Equipping Ogun State Accident services( OGSAS) with ambulances and medication.
  • Taking over the community hospital Ilishan and commissioning the program