FG, Lagos to partner Oniru on Primary Health Centre

… As Ex-Lagos Deputy Governor warns against patronage of fake drugs

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The federal government on Tuesday

to partner with the Oniru of Iruland, Oba AbdulWasiu ‘Gbolahan Lawal (Abisogun II) in the development of health sector at the grassroot. It also warned Nigerians, especially nursing mothers and pregnant women to stop patronizing quack nurses and embrace Primary Health Centres, PHC, in their domains to avert needless death arising from avoidable health challenges.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Iru Estate Primary Health Centre at Oniru Estate, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said that Nigerians, especially people of Iruland and Victoria Island must be wary of the kind of drugs and people they consult for medical attention.

According to her, the health facility was constructed in commemoration of the first year in office of the Monarch of Iru kingdom, Oba Wasiu Gbolahan Lawal, adding that with the facility, the resident have no reason to patronize quacks and unauthorized patient medicines stores, who, according to her, sell fake and expired drugs.

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She said:” Come for post-natal, anti-natal and others health needs. We need you to utilize this place effectively. Please don’t patronise people who sell drugs in the communities. Don’t patronize local nurses and uncertified health workers, patronize only the professionals.
Series of health challenges like kidney failure, heart failure are caused by the people who sell expired drugs. You should also stop eating late, a plate full of ‘Eba’ at night is killing, please if you must eat late, please try to take a walk before you sleep.”

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Also speaking, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commended Oniru for his giant strides since he ascended the throne of his forbearers. He said that the state government would do everything possible to ensure the primary health centres in managed by competent professionals.

According to the governor who was represented by the his Special Adviser on SDG, Ms Sholape Hammond, said that the centre was to ensure that residents get quick medical response at the grassroots before referral to a secondary health care facility, if need be.

Wife of the former Senate President and Governor of Kwara State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Saraki, said there was need for everyone to prioritize the primary health care services to guarantee safety of lives of the people of the grassroots.

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She said she was partnering with Iruland through her Non-governmental organisation in the area of heath care delivery to enable her make a meaningful impact n the lives of the kingdom.

Speaking on the genesis of the primary health center, Oba Lawal said that his kingdom carried out a survey where it was revealed that there was an urgent need for primary health care to cater for the health needs of the residents of the kingdom. He said that lack of health facility in a community was a clear indication of the level of poverty of the residents, saying he would ensure facility would continue to expand in scope and feature for the benefit of the residents.

He said that he met the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals Princess Adefulire to assist the kingdom to get the health facility intervention.

Oniru also lauded Mrs Saraki, the state government and others who played active role in the establishment of the PHC in his kingdom.

Appreciating the gesture, the Chairperson, Iru Victoria Island Council Development Area, Princess Rashidat Abiodun-Adu, warned the staff of the PHC against using the facility for private businesses with a call on residents to protect the facility.