Osun Govt Expresses Dismay Over Health Workers’ Attitude To Work

– Flags off Measles Vaccination Second Dose

Government of Osun has expressed dismay over what it called exhibition of total lack of emotional intelligence and empathy by the state health workers towards patients, their family members and visitors.

Governor Gboyega Oyetola stated this while flagging off the introduction of Measles Containing Vaccine 2 (MCV 2) in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Public Health, Pharmacist Olasiji Olamiju, he said the complaints and reports on the attitude of health workers are becoming worrisome and inimical to the goal of providing quality affordable and efficient health services to the populace.

Olamiju said, in a bid to guarantee qualitative healthcare service delivery and increase patients’ utilisation of the services in all state-owned health facilities, the health workers should embrace core professional values.

He said, “In my few days in office as the Special Adviser on Public Health, I have been inundated with complaints and reports from patients and the public on the poor attitude of our health workforce which is why I am calling for attitudinal change in the discharge of our duties.

“The complaints and reports have become worrisome and it is inimical to our goal of providing quality affordable and efficient health services to the populace.

“This has made the people lost confidence in the services provided, despite the government’s huge investment in the area of rehabilitation, renovation and revitalization, with the procurement and distribution of medical equipments, essential drugs and other medical consumables to the 332 primary healthcare facilities across the State”, the Special Adviser said.

He also implored health workers especially the community health workers, nurses and doctors to continue to exude professionalism, discipline, integrity, humility, selflessness and great care for patient in the discharge of their duties.

Flagging off the measles immunization vaccine 2 for children between the ages of 15 and 23 months, Olamiju said, Osun is the first state to flag-off the immunization in the country.

He explained that the measles immunization was to enhance community protection against diseases, and called on all stakeholders to play a role in ensuring that every child in the state is vaccinated.

The Executive Secretary, Osun Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Oluwole Fabiyi in his own remark explained that the first dose of measles vaccine children get in the 9 months does not confer enough immunity, hence the need for the second dose.

“Research has shown that the 1st dose children get in the 9 months does not convey enough immunity, therefore, to get 100 percent immunity against measles, 2nd dose is given between ages 15 and 23 months, so that they (children) will not suffer measles virus infection.”

He explained further, “Measles 1st dose is part of the routine immunization which is being taken at 9 months, while the 2nd dose being introduced now is expected to be taken at 15 months.”

He however appealed to all mothers and care givers not to allow their daily activities prevent them from bringing their children for all other routine immunizations, so far the government is magnanimous enough to provide vaccines for their children.