In a sweeping move to revitalize healthcare delivery in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approved the comprehensive rehabilitation of 102 primary health centres—an ambitious step aimed at drastically cutting down maternal and child mortality rates across the state.
The governor made this groundbreaking announcement during the opening ceremony of the Ondo State Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative Co-creation Workshop in Akure. Speaking through his Special Adviser on Health Matters, Dr. Simi Odimayo, Aiyedatiwa declared, “We are not just upgrading buildings; we are fortifying the frontline of our battle to save lives.”
He described the initiative as a “transformative leap” in the state’s health reform agenda, underscoring his administration’s unwavering resolve to protect vulnerable populations. “Our participation in this initiative is a testament to our collective will to safeguard the lives of women and children in every corner of our state,” he emphasized.
Beyond infrastructure, the governor unveiled a comprehensive welfare package for healthcare professionals, including a bold salary hike and revised entry levels for doctors and nurses. “We have raised the minimum wage from N35,000 to N73,000—a compassionate, purposeful move to uplift our workforce,” he stated.
Furthermore, medical officers will now begin at Grade Level 13, while nurses start at Grade Level 10, aligning with federal and progressive state standards. Plans are also in motion to recruit more health workers and modernize secondary health facilities with 50- to 100-bed expansions in at least five centres across the three senatorial districts.
“This upgrade covers not only clinical spaces but also staff accommodations,” Aiyedatiwa revealed. “We want our health workers to thrive in environments that support their dedication and service.”
He stressed that lowering maternal and neonatal deaths demands “purpose-driven policies, robust systems, active community engagement, and a highly motivated workforce.” The governor expressed confidence that the outcomes of the five-day workshop would translate into locally grounded and life-saving solutions.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s sweeping health reforms signal a new era of people-first governance in Ondo, where healthcare is no longer a privilege but a right—strengthened by vision, compassion, and action.
