Iwalola, a resident of Agbado Community in Ifo local Government Area of Ogun State had been feeling the pangs of labour for several hours. It was her third pregnancy and even though from experience, Iwalola knew the birth of her baby still was a long way off, because her contractions were coming at regular well spaced intervals, nevertheless, she requested to be taken to the hospital immediately.
Her bag was already packed, and even though her destination - the Agbado Health Centre, along Post Office Road, Agbado Station - was less than half a kilometre away, Iwalola was in a hurry.
It was later gathered that there was actually no emergency, but apparently, Iwalola wasn't taking chances. As events later turned out, after she was normally delivered of a healthy baby girl at the health centre, the new mother expressed gratitude and joy particularly to the health personnel at the Centre. She noted how she had developed deep interest and more confidence in attending the health facility soon after it was totally refurbished by the Senator Ibukunle Amosun-led administration.
"I was not too encouraged to come here in the past for antenatal services of to give birth because it was not as organised, staffed and equipped as it is today," she related to Sunday Vanguard during a visit to the Center. "Today it is a different story. Everything works, there is no problem and the staffs are caring and attend to patients well and on time."
Prior to this, it was gathered that not too many persons within the community had much confidence in the healthcare facility prior to the refurbishment exercise. For decades, the Agbado Health Centre has been the only public health institution within the LGA, but it was besotted with myriad of problems.
At some point, it was upgraded to a full maternity centre in view of the large number of women seeking antenatal and post natal care services, but it failed to satisfy the demands of the people.
According to findings, the Centre used to be in bad shape. "Everything had collapsed. The building and other fittings were crumbling, the rooms overcrowded, there was no pipe-borne water, power was epileptic, and healthcare personnel were hostile and discourteous.
Several persons sought their health services elsewhere, and most were compelled to cross the boundary into local government areas in Lagos in the search for alternative health services at the primary health care level.
Even more resolved to consult alternative medicine practitioners which they found more affordable and accessible.
But in view of the size of the community and its large population, it became more desirable than ever to refurbish its own health centre. Today, the place has undergone a transformation. There is a more purposeful and amiable aura there.
In addition to the old hospital building which is wearing a brand new look, an ultra-modern, fully equipped 12-bed structure has been put up. There are brand new beds, an equipped labour ward, 7.5 KVA generator and running water, just to mention a few.
At the Idi-Ori/Ile Ise Awo Primary healthcare centre, in Abeokuta North LGA, the story is more or less the same. Exactly one year ago, this Centre was a decrepit, dilapidated and almost defunct healthcare facility. There were no functional basic facilities like running water, electricity, beds, pharmacy and even toilets. Even the immunization facilities were nothing to write about.
But today, all that is history. Now everything works like a charm. There are ceramic tiles, ceiling fans, running water, courtesy of a borehole and a 7.5 KVA generator. A fully stocked pharmacy, modern toilet facilities and upgraded wards complete the picture. However, the Matron in charge, Titilayo Adetu lamented the shortage of skilled hands as a major drawback to their full potential.
The story at the Ota primary healthcare centre is no different. Since it was constructed in 1945, the centre had never had it so good. According to the Apex Nurse Aminat Segilola, the center is now able to cope more fully with the average of five deliveries every week while offering excellent immunization services.
Here also the shortage of skilled manpower was apparent. Segilola noted that currently, there are seven nurses, five attendants, four Community Health Extension Workers, some of who were in training among others. The bottom line garnered from all these is that to date, no less than 50 primary healthcare centres have been completely renovated and refurbished to offer better and more realistic healthcare services.
Apparently, the downside to the obvious improvements at these centres is shortage of skilled personnel. According to the State commissioner for Health, Dr Olaokun Soyinka, the matter is already being given attention as the on-going recruitment exercise includes different categories and cadres of health personnel. As the Commissioner put it "One of the quickest impacts to be seen is to put qualified people in the right places".
Quite a lot is happening on the health scene in the Gateway State. The change is across all levels. For instance, at the emergency healthcare level, there is considerable strengthening of the Ogun State Accident and Emergency Services with procurement of more ambulances.
Others include free surgical partnership with the Indo Eye Care Foundation. Preliminary efforts on quackery elimination have taken center stage and sophisticated diagnostic medical equipment has been procured by way of the Geographical Information System, GIS.
Being one of the frontline states in polio eradication, immunisation against childhood killer disorders is a priority in Ogun State, which is currently the best in polio eradication within the south west zone of the Federation,
Other issues are malaria control programme with SunMaP, deworming exercise commencing in primary, private and public secondary schools in the 20 LGAs of the State. Not to be left out are in-house trainings and capacity development of programmed officers, in addition to organisation of partnership forus with the state health sector.
Particularly outstanding is the inauguration of the state artificial limb service which includes distribution of free artificial limbs in collaboration with Rotary International.
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201202200711.html
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