To ensure expeditious and sustainable health service delivery across all health facilities in Ondo state, the state government is set to fortify all health facilities across the 18 local government areas with solar energy to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
This cheering news was revealed by the Permanent Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Agency in the state, Dr Francis Akanbiemu while speaking with journalists after meeting with Primary Health Care (PHC) coordinators from the 18 council areas in the state.
Dr Akanbiemu disclosed that the colossus development in the health sector is to ensure uninterrupted power supply at every health facilities, adding that continuous water supply and drug availability were being looked into as parts of the sustainability effort of the state government.
“Part of the meeting we had today is on the issue of sustainability. One area where we noticed that really affects facility resources is the area of energy. You are aware that electricity supply has been a serious challenge. Apart from what NSHIP has done in terms of infrastructural upgrade across most of the PHC in Ondo state, we are also looking at areas whereby we ensure that they have uninterrupted energy.
“Some facilities have been doing all kinds of solar power and we found out that many of them are not the required standard that will be able to sustain energy supply for a year
“So what we are doing now is to take stock of the capability of those solar energy installed in terms of serving the purpose for which they were installed.
Commenting on the impacts of the Nigeria State Health Investment Project, NSHIP, in the state, Dr Akanbiemu disclosed that the programme had achieved it set goals in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity of children less than five years.
Some of the PHC coordinators at the meeting described the effort to provide solar power at health facilities in the state as extraordinary.
The Medical Officer, Akure South Local Government Area, Dr Adeyemi Omoseyin said, “It is a welcome development because energy in the facilities is very important. If each of the facilities have light, it will improve the services in their facilities.
Dr Omoseyin also acknowledged the impact of NSHIP on health facilities in Akure South, saying it has improved infrastructural development, staff development and quality health delivery.
The Director, Primary Health Care, Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo local government, Dr Lawal Ayotunde described the solar power initiative as a giant stride in Ondo health sector., saying it is the way forward to sustainable health delivery in the state.
He also said that NSHIP has brought a lot of improvement to the health facilities in his LGA in terms of drug availability, facilities upgrade, staff development and strengthening the entire health system.
