The governorship candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin, has pledged to reverse the rot and dwindling fortune of healthcare delivery by declaring a total state of emergency in the state, if given the mandate in the next month’s election.

 

Folarin, who noted that the state in the past used to be the flagship of healthcare delivery in the country, alleged that overtime, the glory had faded and the sector had grounded to a halt under the Governor Abiola Ajimobi government.

 

In a statement by his Director of Media and Strategy, Victor Oluwadamilare, the PDP standard bearer promised to address the myriads of problems and hiccups facing the health sector in the state.

 

Folarin said the major challenges included shortage of trained medical personnel, infrastructure deficiency, shortage of equipment and medication and using of political officials who had no cognate experience to manage healthcare system, with its attendant backlash.

 

 

His words: “Oyo State has 182 doctors to cater for a population of nearly seven million citizens, (one doctor to about 39,000 citizens), 18 consultants, one radiographer, 35 dentists (one dentists to about 200,000 citizens), 1,850 nurses, 47 pharmacists, 72 laboratory scientists and one psychiatrist”, Folarin observed, adding: “It has no radiologists, ophthalmologist or plastic surgeon. Routine internship, which could have strengthened the workforce, is no longer available because the state has lost its accreditation. It is heart-breaking that there are only 48 hospitals, primary healthcare clinics inclusive.

 

“The sordid situation at Adeoyo State Hospital, Ring-Road, Ibadan that has become a game reserve and a den of robbers typifies what many government hospitals in the state symbolizes under Ajimobi.”

 

To change the existing rot, Folarin promised to engaged in substantive recruitment of medical practitioners to fill vacant positions and revise remuneration and benefits to competitive levels, adding: “We shall encourage and support Nigerians in the Diaspora, who have healthcare skills, to return and assist with rebuilding the state healthcare services.

 

“We shall exercise zero tolerance against unlicensed and unqualified medical practitioners and pharmacists, while at least one fully equipped dental hospital in each zone of the state and work with local government area in creating at least one dental clinic per local government,” Folarin added