In his avowed commitment to strengthening the policy of inclusiveness and improvement in the healthcare service delivery system if His Administration, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has launched the Safe Delivery Initiative ‘Ibi Irorun’ Pregnancy kits as part of efforts to promote safer childbirth and reduce the financial burden of delivery on pregnant women and their families.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, while launching the initiative on Monday, at the Basic Healthcare Centre at Arakale, Akure, said the programme was part of his Administration’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and ensuring that residents, most especially pregnant women, had access to quality and affordable medical services.
The Governor, who was represented at the occasion by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Simidele Odimayo, said his Administration had implemented more than 10 empowerment programmes targeting women, youths and elderly residents, while also complementing it with the execution of many road construction projects across the state.
Governor Aiyedatiwa disclosed that more than 300,000 residents had been enrolled in the state health insurance scheme, adding that his Government had prioritised basic healthcare for vulnerable residents and taken steps to reduce excessive out-of-pocket medical expenses.
The Governor stated that more than 102 primary healthcare centres had been completed and equipped, while 60 others were undergoing revitalisation, and added that his Government had continued to support health workers to motivate them to provide quality services to residents.
“At the teaching hospital level, arrangements have been completed for the delivery of a magnetic resonance imaging machine. CT scan equipment, theatre suites and various ophthalmic equipment are also being provided”, the Governor said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa informed further that the Contractors handling the project have already been mobilised, and the projects will be delivered soon. All these are aimed at ensuring that our people are well taken care of and have a good quality of life, he added.
He described the Ibi Irorun initiative as “an icing on the cake”, noting that the kits would complement his Government’s existing free healthcare services for pregnant women in the State.
Speaking earlier, the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Bosede Osamaye, said the initiative was designed by the Administration of His Excellency Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to provide pregnant women with hospital delivery essential items needed for safe and comfortable delivery.
Dr Osamaye stated that delivery had already been made free in Government health centres, adding that the maternity kits would further reduce the financial burden on expectant mothers and their families.
She commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for his proactiveness and commitment to the welfare of women and families in Ondo State, describing the initiative as another demonstration of his Administration’s people – driven governance.
” Today the State has started distribution od 1000 pregnancy kits in the first phase tagged ” Ibi Irorun Safe Delivery Items which contain 13 hospital delivery items as approved by the Governor. Our pregnant women are grateful because this will go a long way in removing burdens from their husbands and from them,” she said.
She equally extended her sincere appreciation to the Wife of the Governor, Her Excellency Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, for her advocacy on the provision of free health care service delivery for pregnant women in Ondo.
The commissioner also appreciated the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Simidele Odimayo; the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr Kayode Kolawole; Directors in the Ministry and other Stakeholders for their contributions to the successful take-off of the initiative.
She also commended Nurse Ariola Adamolekun and other healthcare service providers for their prompt support in ensuring that the initiative meets its target audience.
In his own contribution, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu, noted that the kits would make childbirth easier and reduce the burden on pregnant women and their families.
Dr Akanbiemu, who explained that the kits contained essential delivery items, added that beneficiaries would only need to take them to the health facility when they were due for delivery.
He said, “Once it is time for delivery, or close to the time of delivery, they can simply carry their bag and go to the health centre or the general hospital nearest to them.
“Everything needed for delivery is there, including wrappers, gloves and other essential items. They do not need to take anything else to the hospital.”
The permanent secretary noted that women delivering in government health centres were not required to pay for delivery services. He said combining free delivery services with the maternity kits would significantly reduce the financial burden on pregnant women.
He expressed confidence that the initiative would contribute to safer deliveries and improved maternal health outcomes across the state.
“With these materials fully available, we are sure of safe deliveries, the cry of your baby, and the joy and laughter of the mother and the father,” he said.
He commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for initiating this laudable programme while thanking the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development and other stakeholders for their supports
Hon.Nurse (Mrs) Arinola Adamolekun, while explaining the steps to follow, advised all Pregnant women to take proper care of their bodies during pregnancy. She urged them to eat nutritious foods, including crayfish, fish and meat, and get adequate rest, noting that sufficient sleep was important during pregnancy.
She also encouraged pregnant women to maintain a healthy relationship with their husbands and communicate openly about intimacy and other aspects of their well-being during pregnancy.
Over 500 pregnancy kits were distributed to the beneficiaries at the occasion. Two of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa and his amiable wife, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, for the laudable programme that is of immense benefit to them. According to them, the pregnancy kits have considerably taken off their shoulder the financial hassle faced by their husband during delivery time.
Present at the occasion were Director, Social Welfare Mr Adebayo Oyegunwa Director Skill Acquisition Mr Samuel Olumide Director Women Affairs Mrs Folashade Oladiran, Director Financial and Administration, Mrs Abimbola Olaolu- Ikoto, Director Planning and Research, Mr Sola Oladeji, Nurse (Mrs) Elemeje Faith, Maternal and Child Development officer, (ODSPHCA), Nurse Omoshe Folashade – Federal University Teaching Hospital, Akure, Dr Mrs Jumoke Aborode, Hon. Funmileyi Omogbemi, APC South Senatorial Women Leader, Hon. Abiola Mary, APC, North Senatorial Women Leader, Iyaloja General of Ondo State, Chief Mrs Eko Davids, Iyaloja Alhaja Sikirat Idera, Hon. Tifashe Patient and other female political leaders, Senior Staff members of the Primary Healthcare Centre, Arakale; staff members of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development; and other Aides to the Hon. Commissioner.
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