No fewer than 5000 residents in Ogun have benefited from medical outreaches under the National Health Fellowship Programme, a flagship intervention of the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, disclosed this at the graduation ceremony of Cohort 1.0 and the unveiling of Cohort 2.0 of the National Health Fellowship programme, in Abeokuta on Monday.
Coker noted that the programme, designed to strengthen Primary Health Care (PHC) by raising a new generation of health leaders, deployed young professionals across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas.
The commissioner explained that the programme aims to improve service delivery, promote accountability, and reinforce health systems at the grassroots.
She noted that in the state, fellows were assigned to the 20 local government areas, covering nine thematic impact areas over the past year.
She added that through targeted medical outreaches, residents received diagnosis and treatment for malaria, hypertension and diabetes, while essential medicines were distributed free of charge.
“In maternal and child health, more than 500 women were educated on nutrition, antenatal care, and safe delivery practices.
“Digital innovations such as MamaReach were developed to improve emergency referrals and reduce maternal mortality.
“These are not just projects, they are lifelines for vulnerable families.
“In primary healthcare strengthening, over 200 PHCs were monitored and supported. Solar lighting systems were installed in underserved facilities, restoring critical services to communities numbering over 3,000 residents in some locations,” she said.
Coker noted that the fellows underwent structured training through Learning Management System modules, covering leadership, public health, financial management, data analytics and systems thinking.
“The first cohort of fellows has completed the programme, while a second cohort has been onboarded to sustain and expand the gains recorded.
“The focus remains on building resilient health systems, restoring public confidence in health institutions and improving health outcomes across Ogun state,” she said.
The commissioner commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and development partners for their support and collaboration in implementing the initiative.
Earlier, Dr Kayode Oladehinde, the Permanent Secretary, Ogun Ministry of Health, said that the initiative was conceived to move Nigeria closer to achieving the Universal Health Coverage through a home-grown, sustainable approach.
“It is a product of the National Health Renewal Investment Initiative of the federal ministry of health, aimed primarily at strengthening the nation’s health system, with particular focus on primary health care.
“The core objective of the programme is to engage young health professionals in driving reforms and supporting service delivery at the grassroots.
“A total of 774 fellows have been deployed across the 774 local government areas nationwide. Ogun state currently has 20 fellows who will be graduating today.
“This initiative of the federal government, which the Ogun state government has fully embraced, has recorded significant success and remains a worthy investment in the future of our health system,” he said.
