In a significant move to boost healthcare delivery, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved the rehabilitation of 102 primary health centres across the state. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve maternal and child health and reduce mortality rates through comprehensive health sector reforms.
The governor made this announcement during the opening ceremony of a five-day workshop in Akure, titled Ondo State Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative Co-creation Workshop. Represented by his Special Adviser on Health Matters, Simi Odimayo, Governor Aiyedatiwa described the project as transformative and essential to securing better health outcomes for women and children.
He praised the collaboration between federal and state health teams and other supporting agencies, acknowledging their shared commitment to safeguarding lives in every part of the state.
“We recognise that improving health outcomes requires deliberate and sustained investment, not only in infrastructure but also in the welfare and well-being of our health workforce and the wider population,” Aiyedatiwa said.
Highlighting his administration’s dedication to improving workers’ welfare, the governor revealed that the state had commenced the implementation of a new minimum wage, increasing it from N35,000 to N73,000. He described this as a compassionate move to raise the living standards of civil servants, especially those in the healthcare sector.
To attract and retain quality healthcare professionals, the governor also announced the elevation of entry-level positions. Medical officers will now begin at Grade Level 13, and nurses at Grade Level 10—aligning with standards at the federal level and in other forward-thinking states.
Further plans are underway to recruit more health workers, adjust salaries to remain competitive, and renovate secondary healthcare facilities. These upgrades will enable the provision of Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) services, a critical area in reducing maternal and newborn deaths.
Additionally, the state plans to construct five modern health facilities, each with a capacity of 50 to 100 beds, strategically located in the three senatorial districts of Ondo State.
Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized that beyond just upgrading infrastructure, the renovations would also improve staff accommodations, ensuring a more conducive environment for both healthcare providers and patients.
He concluded by stressing the importance of intentional policy-making, community involvement, and a skilled workforce in achieving meaningful and lasting improvements in health outcomes.
