…as Commissioner for Health, Human Services Bags Award of Distinction
The Ekiti State Primary Health Care Development Agency, SPHCDA, on Monday celebrated its 2024 End of the Year Party and Get-together in a grand style.
The event which held at Hassanat Events Hall, Ado-Ekiti, showcased the scorecard of Primary Health Care Service Delivery in all the 16 Local Governments of the state within the last 12 months, awards to the best three performing LGAs and Award if Excellence to the Director General, SPHCDA.
In his keynote address, the Director-General of SPHCDA, Dr. Gilbert Ayodele Seluwa said the event is aimed at celebrating themselves and “reflect on our pasts and rekindle our hope for a greater Primary Health care industry in Ekiti State and the Nation at large.
“It is my pleasure to place on records here that with a dint of your dedication and hard work, you have made an extraordinary difference as shown in the newly released 2023–24 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey report.”
“These achievements are remarkable, particularly within the last 12 months, The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey report revealed that Ekiti State recorded a 36% reduction in teenage pregnancy, 39% increase in access to family planning, and an impressive rise in vaccination rates for children under five.
“Beyond this, in Ekiti State alone, under-five mortality has dropped by 54%, while neonatal, infant, and child mortality rates have each seen reductions of over 50%.
“These outcomes are the direct result of your dedication to providing quality care, educating families, and ensuring access to essential services. You are the backbone of our health system, and your work is not only saving lives but also uplifting entire communities. Thank you for your resilience, compassion, and unwavering commitment.
“As part of our culture in this part of the word, we do praise people to encourage them to do more, to some extent, we all have done well and as a mark of appreciation, here in this gathering, we will be presenting an award to the best 3 performing Local Governments in the State.
“This is done in an attempt to spur every LGAs to be more committed and dedicated to duty in the years ahead and to covet this award which we promise to make a yearly event with effect from now.”
According to the Chairman Organising Committee, Mr. Olu James Aroge, “the program which is a first of its kind, is targeted at celebrating Primary Health Care Stakeholders in Ekiti State and to appreciate our Employers for the conducive working environment provided for us to deliver.”
He appreciated all PHC workers in all the 16 Local Governments for proving to the world through the works of their hands that they are the best.
The event featured the presentation of the Award of Excellence and “Primary Health Care Champion” to the DG of SPHCDA, Dr. Gilbert Ayodele Seluwa and Award of Distinction to Ekiti State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani.
Winners of the 3 BEST PERFORMING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN EKITI STATE FOR YEAR 2024 are:
Moba Local Government as 1st position
Ilejemeje Local Government as 2nd position and
Ido/Osi Local Government as 3rd position. The most punctual at monthly Integrated review meetings also goes to Dr. Oluyinka Aderibigbe, the Health Secretary for Ikoke LGA
Other highlights of the occasion include; cultural dance, wine and dine, dance, among others.
Participants in attendance include; Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Director-General, SPHCDA, Executive Director, Ekiti State Health Insurance Scheme, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Human Services.
Others are; NGOs/International partners on Health such as WHO, JHIPIEGO, SOLINA CHAI etc, Directors From Ministry of Health and Human Services, Directors from Health Management Board, Directors and Programs Officers in State Primary Health Care Development Agency, 26 Health Secretaries in the 16 LGAs, Deputy PHC Coordinators, Local Immunization Officers, Monitoring and Evaluation Officers, Health Educators, Maternal and Child Health Officers, Assistant Coordinators on Drugs and Equipments, Chairmen of OICs in the 16 LGAs, State Chairman and Secretary of Ward Development Committee Members (WDC) among others.
