During the governor’s second term, the Ogun State government, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, intends to renovate 472 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs). As stated by Commissioner of Health Tomi Coker during a management retreat for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies as well as healthcare facilities, this effort seeks to expand on the successes in the health sector.

Ms. Coker emphasised that 100 PHCs were successfully renovated during Governor Abiodun’s first term. The state government has invested a lot of money in PHC renovation and equipment, hiring qualified medical staff, and implementing cutting-edge features like tricycle ambulances.

The Commissioner emphasized the commitment to sustaining these efforts in the second term, making the health sector a hub for innovative ideas. She cited the ‘Hub and Spoke’ healthcare system model, implemented in 2022, as a notable success. The model involves a guideline for referral methods from traditional birth attendants to PHCs, secondary facilities, and tertiary facilities. The result showed a significant 40% increase in referrals from PHCs to secondary facilities within six months.

Ms. Coker clarified that the retreat aimed to enhance the Ogun State Strategic Improvement Plan for the health sector, initially developed during a similar retreat in 2019. The strategic plan serves as a blueprint for advancing healthcare services in the state.

The retreat was emphasised by attendees, who included Olubunmi Fatungase, the chief medical director of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, as a chance for health sector officials to share ideas and improve Ogun State’s healthcare system.

The state’s primary healthcare accessibility and quality will be improved by the strategic rehabilitation of additional PHCs, which is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and services. The state’s commitment to cutting-edge healthcare models is indicative of a forward-thinking strategy for tackling healthcare issues and enhancing general public health results.