The Ondo State Government has commenced the distribution of appointment letters to over 930 newly recruited health professionals as part of efforts to strengthen primary healthcare services across the state.
The exercise, which began on Thursday at the headquarters of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency in Akure, involves the deployment of healthcare personnel to facilities across the state's 18 local government areas.
The newly recruited workers comprise medical doctors, nurses, midwives, community health extension workers, laboratory scientists, pharmacy technicians, health information officers and other health professionals expected to address manpower shortages in primary healthcare centres.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu, described the recruitment exercise as a strategic intervention aimed at improving healthcare delivery, particularly at the grassroots level.
He said the recruitment process was conducted transparently and in line with the state's Human Resource for Health Policy, adding that it reflected the government's commitment to strengthening frontline healthcare services.
Akanbiemu commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for approving the large-scale recruitment, noting that the decision underscored the administration's determination to improve the wellbeing of residents through a stronger healthcare system.
According to him, the newly employed workers have completed the necessary documentation and would be deployed immediately to underserved and hard-to-reach communities across the state.
He explained that the additional workforce would help reduce patient waiting time, improve access to maternal and child healthcare services, increase immunisation coverage and enhance the overall quality of healthcare delivery.
The permanent secretary also highlighted other health-sector interventions undertaken by the administration, including the revitalisation of primary healthcare centres, provision of essential medicines and continuous training of health workers.
He said these initiatives were geared towards achieving universal health coverage and ensuring accessible healthcare for all residents of the state.
Akanbiemu disclosed that the latest recruitment involved 800 healthcare workers across various cadres, in addition to the 130 doctors and nurses previously employed, bringing the total number of newly recruited health professionals to 930.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the state government for the opportunity.
A newly employed nurse-midwife, Mrs Adebimpe Olorunfemi, alongside Mrs Ajibike Afolayan and Mr Azeez Olayinka, who were recruited as a pharmacy technician and scientific officer respectively, described the employment opportunity as life-changing.
They pledged to discharge their duties with diligence, professionalism and compassion, assuring residents of quality healthcare services.
The agency also stated that the deployment of the new personnel would be closely monitored to ensure equitable distribution across healthcare facilities and optimal service delivery.
It appealed to community leaders and Ward Development Committees to support the new workers and create an enabling environment for them to perform effectively.
The state government reiterated its commitment to building a resilient healthcare system capable of meeting the needs of residents, stressing that the recruitment drive forms part of broader efforts to improve public health outcomes and extend the dividends of good governance to all communities.
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