Ondo Governor seeks World Bank assistance in health sector

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Wednesday solicited the assistance and cooperation of the World Bank to boost delivery of healthcare service in the state.

Akeredolu made the appeal when he received Nigeria State Health Investment Project (NSHIP) comprising National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, World Bank, among others in Akure.

He expressed interest to work with the World Bank while appreciating its efforts in healthcare so far.

“We are particularly appreciative of your efforts so far and we look forward to working with you to bring health to the doorstep of our people who bear witness to the benefits of your service.

“You have made very serious impact on our health growth in this state and you deserve to be praised.

“We are also impressed with your tactics of bonuses based on output which has worked, and can also work if we adopt it in a few other areas,” he said.

Akeredolu said since inception, his administration had been crying for funds to pay salaries and gave assurance that the health sector would not suffer.

“Health to me, not only because we say it’s wealth, is very important and we will put it in the front burner because this maternal and child health is everything,” he said.

Earlier, Dr Olalekan Olubajo, team leader and National Project Coordinator, NSHIP, said they had covered the 18 local government areas.

He explained that the project, which started in 2011 in three states, Nassarawa, Adamawa and Ondo, had strengthened primary healthcare delivery using innovative approaches that rewards results.

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“The essence is focusing on improving maternal and child health indices and also strengthen institutions essentially the states and local governments.

“What this project has achieved is to boost delivery of primary healthcare services in states which stand to gain about $500,000 while each local government stands to gain about $50,000,” he said.

Also, Dr Oluwole Odutolu, World Bank team leader, and Senior Health Specialist, said the goal of the world bank was to eradicate extreme poverty achievable by 2030.

He said the bank had different instruments, including international development association which gives credit to developing countries.