Health Officers of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, (OSPHCDA) from Ilaje Local Government on Tuesday 9th August met with the Chairman, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (OSOPADEC), Elder Sam Erejuwa in his Oba-Ile office.

The visit was aimed at interacting with the Management of the Commission, express concern over the worrisome state of the facilities at the Health Center and to appeal for the Commission’s quick intervention in upgrading the facility to meet National and International health standard.

Speaking through the Coordinator of the Centre, Dr. Minu Ayelaje, the state of the Primary Health Care Department in Igbokoda is worrisome and embarrassing. He specifically lamented the condition of the Cold Chain facility which he said fell below the minimum international standard.

According to Dr. Ayelaje, the Cold Chain facility is meant to store and preserve delicate vaccines under a specific temperature. However, the efficient delivery of health services to the people of the mandate areas of the Commission has been greatly affected owing to the state of the facilities in the health center.

In his words, “the Cold Chain Unit is a place where vaccines for mothers and babies are stored and preserved. It must also contain a dry stock compartment, offices and toilet facilities to meet International standard. All Routine Immunization and Covid-19 Vaccines are stored in this Cold Chain store which is below the required World Health Organization’s,(WHO) standard”.

Ayelaje described the state of the facility as ‘an eyesore’ which was rated Zero by the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja during a recent survey conducted to the Cold Chain facility by a team of Medical experts from the Primary Health Care Department.

The Health Officers therefore solicited for the support and intervention of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (OSOPADEC), to upgrade the facilities to an Internationally acceptable standard through the provision of exigent items including a cold room, solar refrigerators and freezers, running water through the Cold Chain Unit among other things.

While responding, OSOPADEC Chairman, Elder Sam Erejuwa welcomed the Primary Health Care Providers to the Commission. He commended their efforts in providing comprehensive health service to the people at the grassroots, especially in the mandate areas of the commission, despite the lack of the required facilities.

According to Erejuwa, provision of effective health services to the people of Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas is amongst the core mandates and priorities of the Commission. He therefore assured that the demands of the visitors will be considered and appropriate actions will be taken.

With the Coordinator were Mrs. Wemimo Onikan, Local Government Immunization Officer and Mr. Ogunjimi Ilori, Cold Chain Officer, (ILG), While Mr. Wale Mafolabomi, Director, Community Welfare and Mr. Olusegun Godson Ewata, Deputy Director, Information & Protocol were present.