Makinde Receives ‘Legacy Builder’ Honour, Urges Community Health Practitioners To Uphold Professional Standards

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has been conferred with the Legacy Builder and Game Changer of the Year Award by the State’s chapter of the Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (ACHPN), in recognition of his administration’s impactful contributions to the development of Primary Healthcare across the state.

The award was presented during a ceremony held at Koltotel Hotel, Ikolaba GRA, Ibadan, alongside the commissioning of the Association’s secretariat located at RCF Road, Kuelu, off Agbala Itura, Alakia area of Ibadan.

Representing the Governor at both engagements was the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi.

In his address, Governor Makinde described Community Health Practitioners as indispensable frontline personnel within the healthcare system, emphasizing their role as the first point of contact for patients at primary healthcare facilities.

He charged practitioners to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, strictly adhere to the boundaries of their training, and refrain from operating beyond their defined scope of practice.

The Governor underscored the critical importance of timely referrals, urging practitioners to promptly escalate cases that exceed their capacity to appropriate higher levels of care to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

He further advocated for sustained collaboration and unity among members of the association, noting that their collective commitment has facilitated significant milestones, including the establishment of the new secretariat and the recognition of outstanding contributors within their ranks.

Governor Makinde also stressed the necessity of continuous professional development as a means of strengthening service delivery, particularly at the grassroots level.

In his goodwill message, the National President of the association, Kabir Yahaya Ahmed, commended the Governor and the Commissioner for Health for their consistent support to Community Health Practitioners over the past six years.

He called for the deepening of collaboration between the government and healthcare professionals to further enhance service delivery across Oyo State.

Similarly, the South-West Zonal Vice-President of the association, Donnish Oriola Oluwasegun, praised the Makinde-led administration for the recruitment of over 1,500 Community Health Practitioners, describing the initiative as a major boost to healthcare access and quality at the grassroots.

He, however, appealed for additional recruitment to address increasing healthcare demands.

In her remarks, the State Chairperson of the Association and Permanent Secretary, Ibarapa Zonal Health Sector, Tolulope Adebanke Olushola-Jimoh, expressed appreciation to stakeholders for their unwavering support towards the growth of the association.

She highlighted notable achievements recorded during her tenure, including the commissioning of the association’s secretariat, acquisition of four plots of land, and procurement of an official bus for the association.

Olushola-Jimoh particularly lauded Governor Makinde for prioritising the recruitment of Community Health Practitioners, noting that the initiative has significantly reduced workload pressures and enhanced service delivery across primary healthcare centres in the state.

She described the administration’s interventions in the health sector as unprecedented, adding that Oyo State’s primary healthcare framework has become a model worthy of emulation.

She also charged members of the association to remain dedicated, uphold integrity, and carry out their responsibilities with diligence, emphasizing their critical role in safeguarding lives and promoting community health.

According to her, award recipients were carefully selected based on merit, in recognition of their exceptional contributions, commitment, and support to the association.

Highlights of the event included the conferment of the Legacy Builder and Game Changer of the Year Award on Governor Makinde, while the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ajetunmobi, received the Keeper of the Vision Award. A total of 25 other distinguished individuals were also honoured for their contributions.

Dignitaries in attendance included the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi; National President of ACHPN, Comrade Kabir Yahaya Ahmed; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Kehinde Akintunde Ayinde; and retired Permanent Secretary, Service Matters, Paul A. Oyekunle, among others.