A survey carried out by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed Ondo State as one with the lowest poverty rate in the country with an estimation of 27 percent. Report proves that the survey was conducted according to Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) with compliance to five components namely health, security, living standards, unemployment and education.
In contrast to Ondo State, Sokoto State was revealed as having the highest poverty rate in Nigeria with an estimation of 90 percent. It was also disclosed that about 60 percent Nigerians, over 100 million, live in poverty. Nevertheless, Ondo State, having the lowest level of poverty in the country was given an Award of Excellence by the Federal Government on the States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) for its performance on Fiscal Transparency and Accountability.
Gov. Akeredolu expanded Mother & Child hospitals from two to seven.
Ondo State governor, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, stated that the priority of his administration is to elevate the Ondo people out of poverty as every activity of the state is a means of tackling the challenges of the people and providing a conducive living society for even the unborn generations. The five MPI components implemented in the estimation of the poverty level portrays the current Ondo administration as one that has reduced poverty through the promotion of economic activities.
Governor Akeredolu assumed governorship in February 2017 with two obsolete Mother and Child hospitals in Akure and Ondo towns. These hospitals became obsolete as a result of loads of debts acquired through consumables, particularly drugs. Upon assumption of office, these hospitals became operative and were expanded across the three senatorial districts of the state from two to seven. His administration also established the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC) and the Ondo State Contributory Health Scheme (ODCHS).
Ondo state govt. established AMCHIS under ODCHC to care for pregnant women.
ODCHC possesses five tailored health insurance products which includes the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Insurance Scheme (AMCHIS). AMCHIS is a State Equity Scheme designed for pregnant women and children from 0 – 5 years and is funded by the State Government. The scheme makes provision for sustainable maternal and childcare, post-natal and neonatal care, delivery (caesarean section inclusive), antenatal care and treatment of common illnesses in below-five years children. However, the qualification for these benefits is the Kaadi Igbeayo (Ondo State Residency Card).
The issuance of the card to Ondo State residents is done by the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) and at no cost to pregnant women as ensured by the state governor. Over 22,000 beneficiaries have been recorded by the scheme with a state budgetary allocation that settles its premium payment. Aside AMCHIS and the provision of medical equipment at the hospitals, the state government is currently financing the construction of a modern world-class 250-bed University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital complexes.
Akeredolu’s administration has provided employment opportunities.
Besides the Healthcare Agency that has enabled the recruitment of about 800 health personnel and UNIMEDTH that recruited over 350 medical personnel, there has been massive infrastructural development in the state. Across its 18 Local Government Areas, 274.11km of roads have been constructed while 120km are currently undergoing construction. Also, Governor Akeredolu’s administration has provided many employment opportunities through the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, employing over 500 young graduates, over a thousand teachers and over 400 health workers.
Related Link
ODCHC: Website
