Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has disclosed plans by his administration to recruit more medical doctors and health workers for all general hospitals and basic health centres across the state.
The Governor also said his administration has made quality healthcare accessible, available, and affordable for the people of the state in a bid to ensure the well-being of the citizens, even as he disclosed that the government is also renovating one primary health centre in each of the 177 wards in the state.
The renovated general hospitals visited included; Iye, Ifaki, and Itapa – Ilupeju, Ijesa – Isu, and Ijan general hospitals.
Oyebanji who stated these while inspecting road projects and comprehensive renovation of nine general hospitals in the state, said his government is collaborating with members of Ekiti Caucus of the National Assembly for the massive recruitment of doctors and other health workers for the state’s hospitals.
The Governor said the National Assembly members, under the arrangement, will bear the cost of salaries and allowances of the newly recruited doctors and health workers for one year.
He revealed that the lawmakers have promised to contribute one billion naira and that the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele would also add the same amount towards achieving the project.
The governor assured the people that the recruitment of doctors and health workers would commence soon, adding that all the general hospitals in the state would have full compliments of medical professionals before the end of the year.
This, he said, will help stem the tide of shortage of medical personnel particularly doctors and nurses in health facilities in the State, and ensure effective utilization of the modern equipment and facilities being put in place by the government.
The Governor urged residents of the state to make use of the newly renovated hospitals to justify the government’s huge investment in the health sector.
The Governor maintained that the transformation of the health facilities is one of the gains of continuity in government as his predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi had renovated 11 General Hospitals before leaving office in 2022.
According to him, “We signed a contract with Ekiti people the day they came out to vote for us and there are certain expectations from the government. So what we are seeing today is a result of two years of hard work, planning, and two years of weightlifting. As a state, we are punching above our weight and it all speaks to the gains of continuity; we have 22 General hospitals in the state.
“Governor Fayemi renovated 11 before he left and we are currently doing nine and we are not only renovating them, we are equipping simultaneously and out of that nine, four are already completed.”
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, commended the Governor for his commitment to the health sector.
He noted that the Governor’s dedication to making healthcare accessible, affordable, and available has brought about significant improvements in the state’s healthcare delivery.
The Commissioner further urged the people to take full advantage of the improved healthcare service by visiting the renovated hospitals for their medical needs.
He emphasised that the government’s investment is geared toward improving the quality of life for all residents.
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