Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approved the rehabilitation of 102 primary healthcare centres as part of sweeping reforms to improve maternal and child health outcomes across the state.
The governor announced this during the opening of a five-day Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction workshop in Akure on Monday, where he outlined comprehensive measures to strengthen healthcare delivery.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Simi Odimayo, Aiyedatiwa described the initiative as transformative, stating: “We recognize that improving health outcomes requires deliberate and sustained investment, not only in infrastructure but also in the welfare and well-being of our health workforce and the wider population.”
Key interventions announced include salary increases for health workers, with new minimum wage rising from N35,000 to N73,000, upgraded entry levels for medical officers (GL13) and nurses (GL10) to match federal standards, planned recruitment of additional health personnel, and construction of 50-100 bed facilities in five secondary hospitals across senatorial districts.
“I am pleased to announce that our administration has commenced the implementation of the new minimum wage…a bold and compassionate step reflecting our dedication to enhancing the living standards of our hardworking civil servants,” the governor stated.
The 102 PHC rehabilitations will focus on both service delivery areas and staff accommodations to improve working conditions. Aiyedatiwa emphasized that reducing maternal and newborn deaths requires “intentional policy measures, responsive health systems, continuous community engagement, and a skilled, motivated workforce.”
He commended collaboration between federal and state health teams, noting the workshop reaffirmed Ondo’s commitment to protecting vulnerable mothers and children. The governor expressed optimism that the event would yield locally-adapted solutions to healthcare challenges.
The reforms come as Ondo intensifies efforts to meet SDG targets on maternal and child health, with particular focus on emergency obstetric care and workforce retention strategies. Health experts at the workshop are expected to develop actionable plans to accelerate mortality reduction across the state.
