This is Yellow Journalism -S.A Public Health, Akindele
Contrary to the Headline of the Osun based media outlet, Osun Defender, Governor Ademola Adeleke has not sacked any health workers. Those who were hurriedly engaged by the Oyetola administration in the twilight of its administration were only asked to step aside due to the procedural error of civil service rules noticed when they were hurriedly engaged. This is also to avert injecting unqualified health practitioners into our health delivery system in the state. It was also a means not to endanger the health of our people.
Despite clarifications from the Honourable Commissioner of Health, Barr. Jola Akintola, Osun Defender still went ahead to inappropriately sensationalised their headline. This is tantamount to what is called "Yellow Journalism"
It is also not true that there are no drugs in our health facilities. Adequate drugs are being supplied as at when due.
The issue of inadequate health practitioners is not limited to Osun state. It is a national malaise, and Osun is not the worst.
It is also to be noted that the adhoc staff that were mentioned as those being used in the health facilities are qualified nurses and midwives who are jointly engaged by the state and federal government. This underscores the fact that the federal government is fully aware that there's serious deficit of health practitioners across the country as a result of japa syndrome that is increasing the dearth of health practitioners in the health sector of Nigeria.
We want to state it emphatically that Osun state government is equally concerned and desirous to mitigate the gaps to a manageable extent and hence, few of the Imole Youth Corps that are highly qualified are to be engaged in the PHCs to ameliorate the situation and serve as a stop-gap arrangement for now. More health workers will soon be enlisted into the health sector delivery system of the state.
It is equally important to state that over 200 primary healthcare centres have been rehabilitated, upgraded and revamped to the standards W.H.O level under the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke which includes adequate water supply for the facility and hosting community with 24hrs power supply through the installation of alternative energy, solar system.
Of essence just last week, a National broadcasting station "NTA" did a report on the effectiveness and importance of the newly installed Solar system in our primary healthcare centres, and these are the effects of the intervention of the current administration in the state.
We urge the public to continue to support the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke as every efforts are daily being made to ensure quality service delivery of governance in Osun State, most especially as it concerns the welfarism and well-being of the state.
Dr. Adekunle Akindele,
Special Adviser on Public Health to the Executive Governor of Osun State.