By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Oyo state house of Assembly has called for urgent construction of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in some local government areas that are yet to benefit from the “one Primary healthcare center per ward policy” adopted by the state government.
The call was made following a motion sponsored by the lawmaker representing Ogooluwa/Surulere State Constituency, Hon. Abideen Ogundare.
Presenting the motion at the plenary sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Abiodun Fadeyi, the lawmaker noted that the remarkable project which is supposed to foster the development of the state are yet to be initiated in some local government areas, especially those in agrarian communities.
He maintained that priority should always be accorded to rural communities when it comes to health facilities, inorder for the dwellers to access quality medical services when contacted with farm’s disease or infections.
“People in agrarian communities usually have close contact with plants, wild and domestic animals, and agricultural chemicals such as inorganic fertilisers and pesticides. Hence, several farms activities predispose them to disease, infection and illnesses.
“The major means through which people in the rural communities could benefit from dividends of democracy is by having access to basic amenities and good health services” he added
He stressed further that the Primary health care as adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is meant to address the social, political, environmental and economic determinants of illness as a means to improve public health, hence the need to make Primary Healthcare available in all the agrarian communities cannot be overstated.
As part of the resolves, the House has however directed its standing committee on health to collate the yet to be benefited local government areas, and invite the Chairman, Primary Health Care Board and other concerned authorities for a thorough investigation in order to ascertain the level of work at local government areas and propose a way forward to ensure the policy get to the door steps of every communities.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Consumer Protection Agency Bill 2024 passed through its second reading stage at Thursday Plenary .
The House has adjourned its Plenary Sitting till the 6th day of February, 2024.
