Sustaining public health interventions have been said to require deliberate planning, effective coordination and a shared commitment among government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders.

This was the submission of the Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Olanrewaju Saka when he delivered a goodwill message at the "Sustainability Performance Scorecard Review, Joint Planning and Priority-Setting with Key Stakeholders", facilitated by the APIN Public Health Initiatives, held at the Conference Hotel, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

According to him, beyond reviewing achievements recorded so far, the engagement provides an opportunity to identify gaps, consolidate progress and develop practical strategies that will ensure the continued delivery of quality healthcare services to the people.

He said the Ogun State Government recognises that effective partnerships are essential to achieving sustainable health outcomes and added that collaboration with organisations such as APIN provides opportunities to strengthen institutional capacity, improve service delivery and ensure that public health interventions respond effectively to the needs of the people. 

"Under the purposeful leadership of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, the health sector has continued to receive significant attention in line with the administration’s ISEYA development agenda, particularly its commitment to the social welfare and well-being of the people.

"This commitment is reflected in the development of modern specialist healthcare facilities, including the 250-bed Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence, as well as the revitalization of Primary Healthcare Centres through improved infrastructure, characterized by their distinctive yellow roofing. 

"This administration has also strengthened the healthcare workforce through the recruitment of professionals to fill vacancies arising from the 'Japa" syndrome, complemented by continuous capacity development to enhance service delivery. Other interventions include expanding access to affordable medical services through the State Health Insurance Scheme, alongside investments in modern medical equipment, essential medicines and disease prevention", he said.

The Head of Service commended APIN Public Health Initiatives for convening the meeting and for its continued engagement in strengthening public health delivery and expressed confidence that the collective expertise and experience presented will contribute meaningfully to identifying practical priorities and establishing a stronger framework for sustaining public health interventions across Ogun State.

Earlier in a remark, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, appreciated the APIN Public Health Initiatives for the good work done in the State, as there is a downward trend recorded in the number of people living with HIV, as a result of their partnership.

She said transition into providing care for the people living with HIV and malaria related cases by the State would be challenging but with their interventions, it would come with easy and assured that all necessary machinery would be deployed to give adequate support all the way.

In separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Olaolu Olabimtan represented by his Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ahmed Adetona, the  Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Kayode Oladehinde and his counterpart from the State Treasury/ Accountant General, Mr. Olalekan Taiwo, commended the APIN Initiatives for their unwavering commitment to the public health of Ogun State as well as the remarkable impacts they are making in transforming the nation through ground breaking interventions to strengthen the primary health care delivery, and added that the massive investments have brought hope to countless number of Nigerians.

They assured that Ogun State will not relent in efforts at bringing public health interventions to the doors of its citizenry and added that constructive engagements are ongoing to keep providing quality health care to the people.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief Operating Officer, APIN Public Health Initiatives, Mr. Niyi Olaofin, appreciated the Ogun State Government and the people for the cooperation and collaboration enjoyed to make their work easy, and said they have not regretted working with the State and sought for more support for the sustainability of the management of HIV in the State.