The University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo City, Ondo State has officially launched a ‘Maximally Community-Owned Primary Health Care Model’ at Okeigbo in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. The goal is to make universal healthcare available to all individuals in the community.

The model is the brainchild of the Institute of Community Health Innovation and Development, School of Public Health, UNIMED Ondo, in collaboration with the Ondo State Government and the Okeigbo community.

The event which was held at the Palace Hall, Okeigbo, Ile Oluji/ Okeigbo Local Government Area, Ondo State had in attendance public health experts from various parts of the country who joined virtually. 

Addressing the gathering, the Vice-Chancellor, UNIMED, Ondo, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi said Nigeria has toyed with the idea of primary health care in the country for many years with little success because of the lack of community ownership.

‘The truth is that if it is not owned by the community, it is no primary health care. It must be a health service that people can afford, where the people and the community can `afford it and run it. That is the only way we can ever sustain primary health care. The fact that we as a people can take our own lives in our hands and propel our idea by our imagination and commitment, that is the way to sustain primary health care in our country,’ the VC stated.

The Oluoke and Paramount Ruler of Okeigbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Lawrence Oluwole Babajide appreciated the management of the University for choosing Okeigbo as the first beneficiary of the model. He called on people of the community to give all necessary support to ensure the success of the programme.

The Acting Director of the Institute of Community Health Innovation and Development, UNIMED, Ondo, and former Executive Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Olugbenga Osunmakinwa said the programme is aimed at complementing the effort of the State Government in ensuring that good health care is attainable for all, especially for those in the rural community. He said the University is partnering with the Ondo State Ministry of Health and the Community in the provision of manpower and other facilities to provide door-to-door health care services to the people of Okeigbo community.

One of the eggheads of UNIMED School of Public Health, a Professor of Disciplinary Public Health and Community Medicine and a specialist in Population and Clinical Epidemiology and Occupational Health, Prof. Micheal Asuzu described the event as laudable saying the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo is shaping healthcare policies to advance public health locally.

In a goodwill message on the occasion, the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Health, represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Uche Odionyenma noted that primary health care is the first contact someone has with the health system when there is heath problem. He said that the existing primary health care structure is being used as a vehicle for the delivery of the project.

A Member of UNIMED Governing Council who joined the event virtually, Prof. Tolu Odugbemi, OON, described the event as a remarkable starting point in effective standard primary health care delivery in Okeigbo kingdom.

‘Congratulations on the official Launching of the Sustainable Community-owned Primary Health Care Model, Okeigbo. All hands will be on deck to make the laudable project excel with the hope that a modern healthcare centre will spring up in the nearest future,’ he stated.