OSUN FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM-- Akintola

By Segilola Babalola

In an effort to enhance the skills and capacity of frontline health workers and improve the quality of services rendered  to all communities across the state, Osun State Government through the state prinary healthcare development Board and  the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), with support from Jhpiego, organized a 5-day Refteshers training for health workers in the state.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Training of trainers (STOT), which was held in Osogbo, the honorable Commissioner for health in Osun, Barrister Jola Akintola stated that Osun frontline health workers are the backbone of healthcare system, noting that they provide essential primary healthcare services even in the remotest areas of the State savings lives everyday. He added that medicine and public health are continually evolving as new treatments, protocols, and best practices are emerging all the time, hence, the vitality of the ongoing training and education to ensure that frontline health workers have the latest information and skills.

He urged participants to gain as much knowledge as possible from the technical experts and to become passionate ambassadors and advocates for strengthening the frontline health workforce. He also appreciated the supporting partners for their contributions to elevating the healthcare sector.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Health Care Development, Dr. Micheal Oyerinde remarked that the aim of the training is to equip frontline health workers with the latest knowledge, skills, and best practices needed to address evolving health challenges in the state.

Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Isiaka Adekunle highlighted the importance of the training, stating that it will assist frontline health workers in delivering quality healthcare services in various health centres, whether primary or secondary. He encouraged participants to take the training seriously and thanked the partners for their continued support.

In his goodwill message, the Coordinator of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Mr. Solape Folarin, noted that the training was initiated by President Bola Tinubu's directive to improve the competency and skills of 120,000 frontline healthcare workers across the country. This initiative aims to enhance service delivery in primary healthcare facilities and improve adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines by frontline health workers.

Dr. Comfort Eneokpe, the Team Leader of Jhpiego, mentioned that the training is also being conducted in Ondo and Enugu states. She noted that Osun State is fortunate to have the largest number of participants, with 150 trainees. She urged participants to take the training seriously and make the most of the opportunity.

Representatives from WHO, UNICEF, MARI STONE, TCI, ECEWS, College of Medicine, School of Nursing, Community Health Practitioners, and the College of Health congratulated Osun State government for organizing the training. They encouraged participants to actively engage in the training, emphasizing that the knowledge and skills acquired would not only benefit them personally but also improve health outcomes across the state.

In his vote of thanks, Dr. Oluwole Fabiyi the Executive Secretary, Osun State Primary Healthcare Development Board  appreciated the collaborative efforts of both the state and federal governments in making the training a reality. He highlighted that the training would aid in the capacity building of health workers, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and CHEWs, enabling them to manage healthcare services more effectively.