EKSG Expends N120Million on Drugs for Free Health Programme

Ekiti State Government has within the last two and half years expended over One Hundred and Twenty Million Naira (N120M) on the procurement of drugs and consumables for the 35 health facilities where the free health programme is being implemented in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Olusola Fasuba made this known during a review meeting on the State’s Free Health Programme in Ado – Ekiti.
He added that all the drugs were purchased from the State Central Medical Stores, Ado Ekiti and distributed to 35 health facilities that had been carefully selected for the programme.
Prof. Fasubaa said the health facilities received stock of drugs based on the essential drugs list, consumables and medical record tools while Hospital beds, delivery beds, ultrasound machines, generators, centrifuges and microscopes have also been  procured and distributed to these health facilities to enhance effective delivery services.
Prof. Fasubaa noted that the objectives of the meeting to discuss the level of performance of the Free Health Programme, adding that the meeting was also designed to address the challenges of the  programme at both primary and referral levels.
The Commissioner stated that the forum was also to generate corrective measures to address identified challenges and to disseminate new implementation guidelines to facility level implementers on the management of referral, drugs and data documentations.
Prof. Fasubaa gave kudos to the Governor, for the introduction of Free Health programme in the State, adding that the programme has made positive impact on the citizens of the state by reducing the
financial burden on the generality of people who could not be able to take care of their health challenges.
He also disclosed that the state government will strengthen the programme through training and regular meetings with stakeholders for proper assessment and evaluation.
The Commissioner noted that the Free Health Programme at thirty five health facilities were for children of under five, pregnant women, citizens above sixty five and physically challenged persons.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mrs. Folakemi Olomojobi said that the state government is set to pay over N10Million on referral patients at General Hospitals and Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.
Dr. Olomojobi who advised the Medical Personnel at Health Centres to always refer patients to the Secondary Health Institution, frowned at reported allegations of referral of patients from Public Health Institution to Private Hospitals.
She said that Free Health Programme has contributed significantly to the progress of the state in achieving the targets of MDGs 4 and 5 as safe deliveries have also increased substantially in public health institutions in the state.

Last modified: January 9, 2014