OGUN GOVERNMENT TO MEASURE HEALTHCARE PERFORMANCE BY GLOBAL STANDARDS

 OGUN GOVERNMENT TO MEASURE HEALTHCARE PERFORMANCE BY GLOBAL STANDARDS

The Ogun State Government has reiterated its commitment to improving healthcare service delivery by aligning its performance measurement with global benchmarks, including maternal and child health indicators. 

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ review meeting of the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health + Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) score card, stressing the need for data-driven assessments rather than subjective evaluations. 

Dr. Coker noted that, while progress had been made in the last five years, measurable outcomes were crucial to avoid a false perception of success, adding that Nigeria had moved away from assessing healthcare programmes in isolation. 

She explained that, ogun state’s performance would be evaluated based on key global health indices, including maternal and under-five mortality rates, contraceptive prevalence, and the use of insecticide-treated nets. 

"The RMNCAH+N scorecards were management tools used by countries across Africa to strengthen accountability, action, advocacy and transparency, in order to improve RMNCAH+N indices. In ogun state, we have continued to improve health outcomes but we must align with global standards", She said.

The Commissioner emphasised that, the review process would take a granular approach by analysing scorecards at the Local Government level to identify areas of underperformance and implement targeted interventions. 

She maintained that the review exercise was not punitive but aimed at recognising gaps, understanding the underlying causes, and strategically deploying resources to bridge them, noting that effective service delivery would take precedence over positional authority.

Dr. Coker urged stakeholders to ensure that resources were allocated based on competence and efficiency rather than hierarchy.

Speaking Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Kayode Oladehinde, reaffirmed the state government’s resolve to strengthen its healthcare system through evidence-based decision-making and continuous performance evaluation. 

In their goodwill messages, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) representatives, Mrs. Amina Bwala and Mr. Tari Akpandara, respectively, described the review meeting as a critical step towards improving the healthcare delivery in the state, assuring them of their continued support for the state government.

 

Goke Gbadamosi,

Information/Public Relations Officer, Min. of Health