The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, has outlined sweeping reforms and investments by the state government aimed at improving access to quality healthcare, strengthening infrastructure and expanding human resources across the state.
Speaking in Akure with members of the Digital Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ondo State Council, Ajaka said the initiatives were part of the Efficient Healthcare and Socio-Economic Welfare Agenda of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration.
He explained that government’s priority is to ensure that every resident of the state has access to affordable, reliable and quality health services without financial hardship.
The commissioner explained that as part of welfare support, the governor recently increased the monthly stipends of leprosy patients at Ago Ireti from ₦10,000 to ₦40,000, in addition to settling their electricity bills and other essential needs.
He added that funds were also disbursed to assist residents with serious medical conditions.
On infrastructure, the commissioner revealed that 105 primary health centres across the state are undergoing revitalisation, with renovations including consulting rooms, labour wards, waiting areas, staff quarters, perimeter fencing, water supply and solar-powered boreholes. Each centre, he said, would also be equipped with a tricycle ambulance to ensure emergency referrals.
“Our target is to renovate all health centres across Ondo State so that no citizen will need to travel more than ten minutes to access basic healthcare,” Ajaka stated.
At the secondary level, he said government had approved the construction of six modern hospitals, including a 100-bed ward at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Akure to address rising cases of substance abuse and mental health challenges. Additional blocks and specialised wards are also being built in other general hospitals, some of which have had no major upgrades since 1954.
Ajaka stressed the importance of human resources in the health sector, noting that the state had already recruited new doctors, nurses and health workers, while fresh approvals had been secured to strengthen staffing across hospitals and agencies.
On health insurance, the commissioner described the Ondo State Health Insurance Scheme as a “game-changer” in financing healthcare, stressing that out-of-pocket expenses were no longer sustainable.
He explained that the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Scheme, under which pregnant women receive free antenatal care, safe delivery (including caesarean sections) and postnatal care for their babies up to five years is also producing unimaginable results.
“The state government is fully funding Abiyamo. Pregnant women are covered from the time of registration until delivery, while children benefit from free medical care until age five. This is one of the most impactful programmes we have,” he explained.
Ajaka also announced that government is procuring 18 ambulances, one for each local government to boost emergency response services across the state.
He gave an assurance that with these investments in infrastructure, personnel, health insurance, and emergency services, Ondo State would soon rank among the most advanced in healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
He said going by the strong commitment of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to the well-being of the people of Ondo State, a significant turnaround will be achieved in the health sector before the end of the administration.
