The World Health Organisation (WHO) has assured the Ondo State Government of commitment to sustain the technical and logistic supports for its health sector.
Dr Akinola Fatiregun, the State Coordinator of WHO, gave the assurance on Wednesday when he led other officials of the WHO State Field Office on a courtesy visit to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, in his office.
Fatiregun, who noted that the courtesy visit was basically to congratulate Ajaka on his appointment as a commissioner, said that WHO had been providing technical and logistic support for the state’s health programmes and activities through the ministry.
He said WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Kazaki Muolombo, appreciated the good works the state government is doing in the sector, while assuring that WHO would strengthen its collaborations with the state.
Fatiregun pledged expansion of the WHO’s interventions in the state’s health programmes and activities, adding that it currently had 13 officers working in different areas of the state.
Also speaking, Mrs Folukemi Aladenoka, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, commended WHO for the good works it is doing in the state in terms of collaborations and technical support.
Aladenola said WHO responded promptly to all the state’s programmes and activities in diseases control, surveillance and management including COVID-19,Lassa fever and cholera among others.
The permanent secretary assured the organisation of the ministry’s unflinching support, adding that the state government was determined to eradicate diseases in the state.
In his words, Dr Francis Akanbiemu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency(OSPHCDA), said WHO had been very supportive, urging a continued trend.
Responding, Ajaka appreciated WHO officials for the visit, saying he was impressed by the organisation’s supportive roles in the sector.
The commissioner added that the state government was determined to strengthen collaborations with WHO by providing the necessary political will for it to succeed in its programmes and activities.
Ajaka however solicited more collaborations and support from WHO in the task of moving the sector to greater heights.