From Taofiq Adeniyi Jimoh, Ilorin
An appeal has gone to Local Governments in Kwara State to make collection of revolving cards and consultation free of charge in local governments’ health facilities to ensure that the downtrodden enjoy free malaria facilities being provided by Global Fund Support Project.
The Baale Oke-Oyi in Ilorin East Local Government, Alhaji Abdulqodir Solihu Odedeji made the call on recently during the monthly advocacy visit to the council by Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN).
The advocacy visit was to get feedback and access the Global Fund support facilities.
The advocacy team included ACOMIN state Coordinator, Mr. Femi Olatunbosun, ACOMIN State Program Officer, Mrs. Folake Iseyemi, Alhaja Nimat Labaika, Mr Adewoye Olusesan and Mallam Mashood Zarumi Esq.
The Baale Oke-Oyi noted that government should not see health sector as a revenue generating venture.
He said that many residents in the rural communities prefer to visit private hospitals than government hospitals because of quick medical attention they would receive.
He said that many health workers were not helping the situation due to truancy at their duty post.
While appreciating Global Fund Support Project over the provision of free malaria treatment, he said that local government could play a complementary role by making collection of card and consultation free.
Speaking in the same direction, the Baale Oke-Ose, Alhaji Ibrahim Ajadi observed that many rural dwellers could not enjoy free malaria treatment in the public facilities because they could not afford to pay for card and consultation.
He said that if the local governments could make collection of card and consultation free, it would encourage the downtrodden to access public health facilities.
The leaders of the two communities called on local government administrators to make basic healthcare delivery their priority.
A member of the advocacy team, Alhaja Nimata Labaika called on traditional and community leaders as well as community development associations to support health workers especially in the rural communities to encourage them to stay at their duty post.
She said that there were free malaria services that could be accessed by pregnant women and other people through Global Fund support facilities.
The state Coordinator for ACOMIN, Mr Femi Olatunbosun, said that issue of revolving card had been hindering effective access of the facilities.
He said that achieving a free malaria communities could be realised with the collective efforts of all stakeholders.
In their separate remarks, ACOMIN state Program Officer, Mrs Folake Iseyemi, Mr Adewoye Olusesan called on the rural dwellers to avail themselves of the opportunity of free malaria treatment provided through Global Fund support facilities.
“The community members should always make their environment clean, no stagnant water and they should always sleep under Long Lasting Insecticide Nets”, they advised.
The team was at Basic Health Centre, Oke-oyi, Maternity and Dispensary, Oke-oyi, residences of Baale Oke-Oyi and Baale Oke-Ose as well as office of Head of Health Department, Ifelodun Local Government, Alhaja Jimoh Sidikat.
