Ekiti pledges affordable health services to residents

Ekiti State Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening health systems and delivering life-changing outcomes for residents, as well sustain partnerships with stakeholders in the healthcare delivery sector.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, said such would translate to sustained qualitative, accessible healthcare delivery at all public health facilities in the state.

He said that the state government had been forthcoming in attending to the healthcare needs of the residents through various policies and programmes, as well provision of necessary infrastructure and equipment at the health facilities.

Filani, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, spoke in Ado Ekiti on Friday during an Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project Transition event marking the completion of Solina Health’s implementation contract in Ekiti State.

The commissioner, who lauded Solina for positive developments during its two-year implementation of the IMPACT project in the state, assured that “Ekiti State Government will sustain the foundations already laid in the state.”

He said, “The impact of the project is that it has gone to the grassroots. It is not just about people at the grassroots and even general hospitals getting drugs; it is about people getting safe and genuine drugs after being tested. It has enabled the government to ensure that the free malaria treatment is sustained at the grassroots.”

The Solina Health Director for IMPACT Project, Daniel Abraham, who said that his organisation had delivered on its assignment and exited on completion of the contract, said, “Solina remains steadfastly committed to partnering with Ekiti State and stakeholders moving forward. The gains here are stepping stones for greater achievements.”

“The remarkable progress achieved here demonstrates what happens when passion aligns with purpose and partnerships are built on trust and mutual respect. From enhanced service delivery to empowered health workers, these results reflect collective dedication to malaria control and beyond,” the project director said.

The IMPACT Project Coordinator in Ekiti State and the State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager, Dr Folu Ekundare, assured of sustainability, saying the state implementation team had always worked with Solina Health in the last two years doing the job together.

Ekundare, who is the State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager, said that Nigeria still bears one of the highest malaria burdens globally, making sustained efforts significant.

He itemised notable achievements of the project to include supporting 203 health facilities, testing 958,022 individuals for malaria, saving 182,281 children under five by timely intervention and protecting 92,853 pregnant women with preventive therapy.

Ekundare also said that strengthening of data reporting systems had led to better planning and decision making, and improved antenatal care attendance and facility-focused deliveries in targeted communities

IMPACT, a World Bank-supported initiative in select states, including Ekiti comprises two components – immunisation plus and malaria coverage.

Recall that Solina Health, in collaboration with Ekiti State, implemented the malaria component designed to reduce malaria burden by strengthening service delivery, improving access to quality diagnosis and treatment, enhancing community engagement and building sustainable health systems capable of supporting malaria elimination efforts.