The Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission has promised to work with the State Advocacy Group working on the Global Fund C-19RM/RSSH Grant towards improving primary health care system in Ekiti State.
The commission noted that all necessary steps would be taken to convince the state government to address the shortage of staff in the primary health facilities and other inadequacies.
Permanent Secretary Local Govt. Service Commission, Mr. Babatunde Jegede spoke when he received the State Advocacy Group working on the Global Fund C-19RM/RSSH Grant.
The purpose of the visit is to advocate and solicit for assistance on how the Primary Health Cares, PHCs can be better as well as getting the facilities needed to counter diseases basically, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Malaria in the State.
According to the PS, the primary health facilities are key at delivering health care to the people at the grassroots hence they must be given necessary attention.
Meanwhile, when asked if the commission can help in mobilizing personnel that will guide the PHCs, the permanent secretary said that the responsibilities of the commission is to recruit officers from level seven and above.
Mr. Babatunde Jegede said:” Local Govt. Service Commission is saddled with the statutory responsibilities of appointment, promotion and recruiting unified officers from level seven and above while recruiting of junior officers from level one to six is for the Local Government.
He also said that the commission has not recruited staff for a while adding that the financial strength to recruit is not there.
He therefor urged the Stakeholders Advocacy Group to also visit the chairmen of local governments of Ekiti State, noting that the local government is in-charge of recruiting junior officers.
Mr Jegede commended the initiative of global fund saying such step will promote better health care system in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Advocacy Group, the Executive Director, Enviromental Development and Family Health Organization, Sir Olu Ogunrotimi said all hands must be on deck to improve health care system in Ekiti.
He appreciated the PS and promised to carry him along as events unfold.