Abosede berates LGA chairmen, health ministry over poor primary health care
By Adeze Ojukwu
A renowned Community Health Consultant, Prof Olayinka Abosede has challenged Chairmen of Local Government Areas(LGAs) and health authorities for the poor primary health services across the country.
She urged the LGAs and relevant authorities to revamp community health services in Nigeria, in order to save citizens from needless medical crises and emergencies, as well as high mortalities and morbidities.
‘The system is not sustainable because of apathy and unacceptable attitude to health promotion,’ she charged.
Prof Abosede, who threw the challenge, during a recent interview in Lagos, called on citizens to hold officials of LGAs and Ministries of Health(MoH) accountable for the persistent failure in health delivery at communities.
She is a retired lecturer and physician in Community Health and Primary Care at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos and Consultant at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital(LASUTH).
She said ‘chairmen of these LGAs and councils should be challenged on lapses and correction interventions publicized. Maybe a competition will motivate change of attitudes and behaviour.’
‘I believe all MOHs should provide evidence of functionality of their community governing bodies including LG health authorities, as well as health committees of development wards and residents associations. They need to honestly publish the status of their Primary Health Care(PHC) facilities.’
‘There should be no window dressing, with regards to structure, equipment, materials and staffing, with evidence, such as photos and receipts.’
On the issue of funding, Prof Abosede, acknowledged the general lack of adequate resources across all sectors, but stressed the need for transparency and frugality in the management of available monies.
Funding, she argued ‘will always come up, but much can be achieved with the existing resources,’ which she alleged ‘are being misappropriated. Every ward has adequate resources to provide quality health care.’
The erudite academic also spoke about her medical career and her numerous achievements during her public service nationally and internationally.
She graduated with MBBS and a Master of Education(M.Ed) from University of Lagos. She proceeded to Liverpool University, United Kingdom(UK) for a Masters in Community Health.
She is a Fellow of the Medical College of Physicians (FMCPH), West Africa College of Physicians (FWACP) and Hubert Humphrey Fellowship (HHH) at the prestigious John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America(USA).
At various times, she served as consultant to United Nations agencies including UNICEF and the World Bank.
She was born on March 7, 1950 and attended the Baptist Girls High School, Abeokuta, Ogun State and Queens School, Ede, International School, Ibadan and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, for pre-clinical medicine.
The community health expert worked for 47 years as a lecturer, physician and administrator in Community Health and Primary Care at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
She periodically took time off for State and National assignments at agencies and the presidency.
She has received several awards from primary school, till recently, including the Best Performing Student, Neatest Student, and a national honour for her feat during the National Youth Service Corps(NYSC).
She has also been honoured by several professional, academic and community organizations for her dedication and humanitarian activities.
Her marriage on July 5, 1975 is blessed with two children, a son, Olugbenga now a Consultant in Risk Control and a daughter, Okubanke a lawyer and Manager with a Law Firm, as well as six grandchildren.
She was ordained Pastor in 1997, at Agape Baptist Church, Lagos.
Her ministry includes church planting, discipleship and praying.
She was the leader to the Women Missionary Union Sunday Group at the New Estate Baptist Church, Lagos and to many Home Fellowship Groups.
Since her official retirement from the ivory tower, Prof Abosede has been engaged in several voluntary projects to empower youths, women, girls and residents in her community and adjoining localities. Her philosophy and passion for charity is rooted in her faith in God.
For her, service to man is, invariably to God, hence she has continued to teach on this virtue and other Christian principles in order to effectively impact lives.
She publishes online Bible Daily devotional teachings for children and bible quiz for all ages, which can be accessed at her website www.wellchild.com.ng
Her hobbies include Photography, gardening, swimming, dancing and singing, having joined the choir at age 10.
Indeed Prof Abosede has served humanity excellently and has retired from active medical practice.
However she is not tired given her numerous voluntary and philanthropic engagements across several communities in Lagos.
.Ojukwu is a Fellow of Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship, publisher, editor and advocate for improved health and socio-economic services for all citizens, as well as the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGS). Please kindly send feedback to [email protected]
