Category: Health

…Governor AbdulRazaq Leads Efforts to Combat Synthetic Drug Crisis, Launches Campus Ambassadors Initiative

The Kwara State Government, under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is set to host the second edition of the Kwara Stakeholders’ Summit on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control. Themed “Synthetic Drug Crisis: United for a Safer Kwara,” the summit aims to address the growing menace of synthetic drug abuse, which has become a critical public health and security concern, particularly among young people.

Organized through the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, the event will bring together a wide range of stakeholders to develop preventive strategies, enhance rehabilitation efforts, and implement sustainable solutions to curb drug abuse in the state. Unlike traditional narcotics, synthetic drugs are highly potent, unpredictable, and extremely dangerous, making it imperative for the government and concerned parties to act swiftly.

A key highlight of this year’s summit is the official launch of the Kwara State Drug Abuse Prevention Campus Ambassadors, an initiative aimed at empowering young leaders in tertiary institutions across the state. The program seeks to create a network of student advocates who will lead awareness campaigns, promote responsible behavior, and foster a culture of prevention within their campuses.

The event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Kwara State Banquet Hall, Ilorin, with a 9:00 AM prompt start. It will feature distinguished keynote speakers, including the Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Oyatoye Joel Olaniyi Titiloye Olufayo; Professor Issa Baba Awoye, the Medical Director of Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Budo Egba; and Dr. A.A. Isiaq, a renowned lankotheorist, author, researcher, and social commentator.

In addition to the keynote addresses, the summit will include a panel discussion featuring notable figures such as Olaide Ahli, CEO of Olaidedahli Sports and Entertainment Management Company Ltd; Ambassador Mukhtar Afonja RN, Provost of Adewale Ibrahim College of Health Sciences; Dr. Mahmud Danjuma Musa, Senior Lecturer at the University of Ilorin; Hon. Asefon Dayo Sunday, Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Student Matters; Miss Monisola Oluwadamilola Akindele, Founder of Muni’s Sickle Cell Anaemia and Drug Abuse Foundation; and Pastor Oyedapo Ademuyiwa Ipadeola, a senior pastor at RCCG Hopehall, Ilorin.

The summit is expected to attract a broad range of dignitaries, including government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, school administrators, students, sports administrators, entertainers, media personalities, health professionals, and law enforcement agencies. With a focus on collective action, the Kwara State Government is urging all stakeholders to actively participate in the conversation and contribute to building a drug-free society.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at addressing social challenges, and this summit underscores his commitment to tackling drug abuse through preventive measures, education, and rehabilitation. The event promises to be a crucial platform for collaboration, policy discussions, and actionable strategies to combat the synthetic drug crisis and create a safer Kwara for all.

…. State intensifies efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases

No fewer than 72 indigent patients in Kwara State have benefitted from free hydrocelectomy surgeries as part of the state government’s commitment to eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, disclosed this during the 2024 State Review Meeting on NTDs held at G Pinnacle Hotel, Ilorin. She noted that beneficiaries were drawn from the state’s three senatorial districts and provided with logistical support for transportation to and from the surgery centers.

Dr. El-Imam commended the medical team and health officials for translating the government’s vision into action. While acknowledging the reduction in NTD cases across Kwara, she stressed the need for intensified efforts toward total elimination, emphasizing prevention as the first line of defense since treatment alone is not sustainable.

“We need to improve our efforts to eliminate these diseases. The first step is prevention, as we cannot afford to treat all cases. Local Governments play a crucial role in ensuring people take preventive measures. Information at the grassroots level has a greater impact,” she said.

She urged NTD Local Government Coordinators, their Assistants, and other key stakeholders to take proactive steps in combating Schistosomiasis, Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH), and Lymphatic Filariasis to foster a healthier society.

Dr. El-Imam further stressed the importance of ensuring access to preventive measures and treatment, particularly for children and young people, as improved health directly enhances academic performance and overall well-being.

Also speaking, State NTDs Coordinator, Mrs. Christiana Bamgboye, highlighted the significant progress made in reducing NTD cases across Kwara due to government interventions and support from development partners. She expressed optimism that the state will eliminate NTDs before the 2030 global target, given the steady decline in cases of Schistosomiasis, STH, and Lymphatic Filariasis under the present administration.

…Governor AbdulRazaq Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Healthcare Access

For years, residents of rural communities in Kwara State have struggled with limited access to quality healthcare. Expectant mothers often had to travel long distances for antenatal care, while families faced challenges finding well-equipped clinics for their children’s treatment. That reality is now set to change as the Kwara State Government embarks on an extensive upgrade of 70 Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities across the state, ensuring that basic healthcare is brought closer to the people who need it most.

Speaking during the contract signing ceremony for the project, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), Professor Nusirat Elelu, said the intervention will improve healthcare infrastructure, provide solar power for uninterrupted service, build staff quarters for medical personnel, and supply ultra-modern medical equipment to enhance service delivery. She explained that the upgrade, backed by the World Bank-funded Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Progress and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project, is designed to make PHCs fully equipped to provide essential health services across the state.

Prof. Elelu emphasized that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration has remained deeply committed to transforming healthcare access. She recalled that 53 PHCs had already been renovated, with another 9 currently undergoing upgrades, noting that the goal is to ensure that no part of the state is left behind in the government’s plan to strengthen primary healthcare services. She also pointed out that over 1,005 healthcare workers, including doctors, have been recruited to ensure that the PHCs operate efficiently, addressing concerns about understaffing in rural clinics.

The IMPACT Programme Manager, Dr. Michael Oguntoye, stated that the project must be completed within three months and warned against any delays by contractors. He stressed that the primary beneficiaries of the initiative are under-five children, pregnant women, and vulnerable populations, with the overarching aim of reducing maternal and child mortality rates in Kwara. He further added that the IMPACT project will also improve national monitoring and evaluation systems, enhance service quality, and create more awareness about the importance of accessible healthcare services.

With this latest initiative, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has once again demonstrated his administration’s commitment to building a strong and inclusive healthcare system. As work begins on these facilities, communities across Kwara can look forward to a future where quality healthcare is no longer a privilege, but a right accessible to all.

…Campaign Targets Hard-to-Reach Communities, Aims to Boost Child Immunity

The Kwara State government, in collaboration with development partners, has commenced the second round of routine immunisation targeting 238,000 children across the state.

The exercise, led by the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, aims to strengthen healthcare services, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach areas. Executive Secretary of the Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, emphasized the importance of immunisation in preventing childhood diseases and reducing mortality rates.

The campaign includes the Big Catch-up vaccination initiative in Ifelodun, Baruten, and Ilorin East LGAs, while Local Immunisation Plus Days (LIPDs) will be implemented across the remaining 13 LGAs between February 11 and 16, 2025.

Elelu praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for providing financial and logistical support for the program, urging parents, caregivers, and community leaders to ensure full participation for maximum impact.