Ogun wins $400,000 healthcare leadership award

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Mohammed Ali Pate, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker and others during the presentation of the PHC Leadership Challenge Award to the state as 1st runner up for the Southwest zone…Credit: OGSG

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The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, has reiterated the commitment of the present administration in the state to strengthening the health sector and ensuring the well-being of residents.

Coker also hailed Governor Dapo Abiodun for his sustained interest in developing the health sector, saying the administration’s deliberate investments have significantly improved healthcare delivery across the state.

According to a statement released on Sunday, the commissioner spoke after Ogun State, for the second consecutive time, emerged first runner-up in the South-West zone at the third edition of the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge Award organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

The state government was $400,000 richer following the award, which was initiated to drive excellence in service delivery and encourage transformation in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

Coker described the recognition as a strong validation of the Abiodun administration’s deliberate and strategic investments in primary healthcare as the foundation for building a healthier and more productive population.

“This award is dedicated to our hardworking governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, whose strategic health sector reforms have focused on expanding access to quality healthcare services, particularly at the grassroots.

“For instance, the rehabilitation, upgrading and equipping of primary healthcare centres across the 20 local government areas have significantly improved service delivery, especially in maternal, newborn and child health,” she said.

Coker further stated that the state government had prioritised human capital development in the health sector through the recruitment and continuous training of health professionals, including doctors, nurses, midwives and community health workers, to ensure efficient and patient-centred care at the primary level.

She added that the expansion of the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme had helped to reduce out-of-pocket spending and increase access to affordable healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations.

While commending the organisers of the PHC Leadership Challenge Award, the commissioner said the recognition would spur the state to deepen ongoing reforms and sustain investments aimed at achieving universal health coverage.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Elijah Ogunsola, described the award as a testament to strong leadership, effective coordination and teamwork within the state’s primary healthcare system.

Ogunsola said that under the current administration, the board had implemented strategic initiatives targeted at revitalising primary healthcare centres, improving disease surveillance, strengthening routine immunisation and enhancing community engagement across the state.

He noted that the improved performance of Ogun State in key health indicators was a direct result of evidence-based planning, robust monitoring systems, strong collaboration with chairmen of the 20 local government areas and productive partnerships with development partners and other stakeholders in the health sector.

The executive secretary reaffirmed the board’s commitment to sustaining the gains recorded so far, adding that efforts would be intensified to ensure that every community in the state has access to functional, well-equipped and adequately staffed primary healthcare facilities.

The PHC Leadership Challenge Award recognises states that have demonstrated innovation, accountability and political will in strengthening primary healthcare systems nationwide.

Ogun State’s emergence as runner-up further reinforces its growing reputation as a model for sub-national leadership in healthcare delivery, driven by Abiodun’s vision to build a more responsive and resilient healthcare system.

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