Dr Banji Ajaka
By Kemi Olatunde
Maternal mortality has been identified as a critical health challenge requiring urgent and intensified intervention in Ondo State, prompting the state government to seek stronger collaboration with development partners to address the situation.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, made the call during an engagement meeting with the Director of Programmes and Primary Health Care (PHC) Financing at Clinton Health Access Initiative, Dr. Lilian Mutea, held in Akure, stressing the need for intensified support to further reduce maternal mortality in the state.
He declared maternal mortality reduction a top priority for the state government, with a target to cut the rate by at least half in the coming years, while appealing to CHAI to strengthen its support in this critical area.
“In Africa, maternal mortality is still very high. In Nigeria, it is high. Even in some states, it is relatively high,” he said. “This is one area where we want special intervention.”
Highlighting recent achievements, the commissioner said the state currently boasts some of the best maternal and child health indices in Nigeria and across Africa, according to the latest Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) report.
He disclosed that the state’s neonatal mortality rate stands at 3 per 1,000 live births, compared to the national average of 41 per 1,000. He added that infant mortality in the state is 8 per 1,000, which he said is significantly lower than the national figure of 62 per 1,000.
According to him, under-five mortality in the state is 15 per 1,000, compared to the national rate of 110 per 1,000.
He added that the state’s child health indicators are currently among the best in the South-West region and rank among the lowest in Africa.
Dr. Ajaka reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining gains in maternal and child health and praised the organisation for its longstanding support to the state’s health sector, particularly in maternal and child health, adolescent health, and human resources for health.
He expressed appreciation for the organisation’s continued partnership despite global funding constraints affecting development programmes.
He noted that while external partners cannot remain in the state indefinitely, it is critical for the state to consolidate and sustain the structures and systems already established.
The commissioner commended CHAI’s interventions in strengthening primary healthcare delivery, improving maternal and child health services, and building capacity among health workers across the state.
Drawing attention to growing concerns around adolescent health, including teenage pregnancy and substance abuse, the commissioner revealed that the state’s psychiatric facility is currently overstretched, with some adolescent patients unable to secure admission for months due to limited bed space.
He called for deeper collaboration in tackling teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, and other youth-related health challenges, describing them as critical to securing the state’s long-term development.
Reiterating the state government’s openness to partnership, Dr. Ajaka assured CHAI of continued cooperation in areas that align with the state’s health priorities.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Simidele Odimayo, also solicited more support, particularly in the area of Hepatitis B screening and treatment in the state.
The Senior Consultant to the Governor on Pharmaceutical and Medical Investment, Dr. Samuel Adekola, stressed the need for CHAI to align with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s vision of driving investment in the health sector and called for the capacity building of programme implementers in the state.
He also called for collaboration among health sector stakeholders to improve the sector.
In her remarks, Dr. Mutea reaffirmed CHAI’s commitment to sustaining health sector partnerships in Nigeria, describing the country as the organisation’s second-largest programme globally.
She pledged continued collaboration with Ondo State despite funding transitions.
The CHAI representative, who led the delegation on a courtesy visit to the state, expressed appreciation for the warm reception and commended the leadership of the state for creating an enabling environment for impactful health interventions.
According to her, the organisation operates in about 35 countries worldwide, with Nigeria ranking as its second-largest programme in terms of scope, funding, and operational scale.
She further explained that CHAI currently works in more than 24 states across Nigeria and maintains offices in about 10 to 11 states, including Ondo.
She revealed that her visit had been strongly encouraged by a state-based colleague who consistently spoke highly of the state’s health reforms and performance.
Dr. Mutea highlighted several ongoing and recently implemented programmes in the state, including health insurance reforms supported by Global Affairs Canada, vaccine delivery initiatives, family planning interventions, and the CHOICES programme.
While acknowledging that one of CHAI’s largest programmes in the state is nearing completion, she stressed that the state remains a priority.
She assured that as CHAI engages donors and funding partners for future programming cycles, the state’s performance and demonstrated impact would weigh positively in funding considerations.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ayodele Adiji, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to unity, teamwork, health sector development, and the fight against insecurity.
He emphasised that the health sector’s achievements are rooted in collaboration and collective responsibility.
The Administrative Secretary of the Ondo State Hospitals’ Management Board, Dr. Micheal Iwaola, noted that the board has benefitted directly from CHAI’s programmes, stating that they have turned around the fortunes of the people.
Also speaking, the Director of Family Health, Dr. Isaac Aladeniyi, lauded CHAI’s programmes, noting that no partner has built the local capacity of the people of the state in the last 20 years as much as CHAI.
The State Team Lead of CHAI, Olamide Ayedun, described the event as one aimed at assessing the organisation’s activities in the state.
While thanking Dr. Mutea for her advocacy visit to the state, he called for more programmes to improve the health status of residents.
The Hope.
