Dr. Rafiu Isamontu, the State of Osun Commissioner for Health, spoke in this interview with OSUN DEFENDER Toba Ajisafe on Governor Rauf Aregbesola achievements in the health sector, government efforts at ensuring lasting solution to strike action of doctors in the state and other sundry issues. Excerpts:

Excerpts:
 
Q: Can you highlight the achievements of Governor Rauf Aregbesola in the health sector?
 
When Aregbesola came on board in Novermber 27, 2010, the legacy of free medical health services which was initiated by Baba Akande continued by Oyinlola administration continued; we were able to continue and sustain this legacy; we have even brought a radical transformation in the programme just like what we did in the education sector.
 
 
Q: How many state hospitals do we have in Osun and what was their condition when you came on board?
 
We have nine of them and these hospitals were in  the state of disrepute and we swung into action, all the nine state hospitals were rehabilitated, about N1.7billion was spent in renovating our State hospitals; we have three State hospitals in each senatorial district, in West senatorial district we have them at Iwo, Ede and Ikire; in Central senatorial district we have State hospital Asubiaro, Ila-Orangun and Ikirun; in the East senatorial district we have State hospital Ilesha, Oke Ogbo in Ile-Ife and Ipetu-Ijesha.
 
Q: Did you do anything on primary health care? 
 
We built Primary health centres in Ogbaagba, Erin-Ijesha, Erin-Ile/Erin-Oke and about nine comprehensive health centres were equipped with modern day equipment. 50 ambulances (O-Ambulance) were bought by the state government which 30 local governments got one each and the rest stationed in all the Highways across the State. To comprehend our effort on the O-Ambulance scheme, we built emergency unit in State Hospital Asubiaro.
 
In 2014 we bought about 100 handheld scanners that we have distributed to rural areas outside the cities and we equally gave Asubiaro that too. We bought four 3-D Duplad scanners which were distributed according to the Senatorial districts; one was given to Iwo, Ilesha and Asubiaro then the fourth one was given to LAUTECH Teaching Hospital here in Osogbo.
 
We also built tuberculosis control centre in Ilesa west. As a policy, government make sure that anyone treated of leprosy and tuberculosis in the state, they all get drugs free of charge, diagnosis and treatments of HIV/AIDS in our State is free.
 
In 2013, about 1.4 million long lasting insecticidal nets were distributed. Periodically we trained members from the O-Yes scheme on house fumigation. This year in conjunction with Global Fund, Catholic Relief Services, Society for Family Health they gave us about 4 million insecticidal nets.
 
We have also encouraged ‘Surgical and Medical Mission’ with the help of an NGO called Hope Flow Initiative headed by Dr. Simeon Afolayan, we use to do what we called Surgical Jamborees in which we go to all the State and General Hospitals to do free surgical operations, surgeries that won’t require hospital admission like anemia, breast lump; occasionally pregnant women during this period second stage of labour will be attended to.
 
Between June and July this year, we covered all the nine State hospitals and the grand finale was done in Asubiaro. We have started this since 2010. We also distributed free eye glasses in 2012.
 
Q: Apart from buying and providing equipment to the hospitals, what did government do about the welfare of Healthcare’s givers talking about remuneration and promotion before the financial quagmire came in late 2015?
 
When Governor Aregbesola came on board, in most states, they had implemented Consolidated Medical Salaries Structure and Consolidated Health Service Salaries Scale for all other categories of health workers who are not doctors. It was when Ogbeni came that he approved that in compliance with what is happening in other States ditto for other health workers so it baffles me when people say “Mr. Govenor hasn’t done much for health workers in the State”.
 
Also, the resident doctors in Asubiaro hospital when they go for exams because they are trained to become consultant, government give them some allowances before the economic downturn of the country even at that in the last one year we have continued to support the Resident doctors who are going for exams, giving them allowances.
 
Q: There was a particular statement ascribed to you that Osun doctors are among highest paid doctors in the Southwest, what do you have to say on this?
 
I didn’t issue any statement about that but what I said was that; during the time of Baba Akande, Doctors in Osun were the highest paid in Southwest and it continued, not that it reduced.
 
What I used to tell our people here in Osun is that ‘You can’t give what you don’t have’. If we have the money and refuse to give it out that would be a different ball game entirely but based on what we can afford, we are operating in that realm.
 
Q: Doctors has said repeatedly that they were been paid 30% of their salary even when other workers received 50% above of modulated pay, was that the agreement government reached with the doctors?
 
That is not true that the government is paying them 30%. They only want the masses to be on their side, everybody gets 50%. If you are on grade level 12 and above you get 50% of your salary.
 
Q: You mentioned that about 50 O-Ambulances were distributed across the State, what is the effect of this program in Osun as of today?
 
If an accident happens and a call is being put through our O-Ambulance within a very short span of time they will be at the scene. The program has been so effective and people who live in the state have attested to that by saving many lives.
 
Q: Have you gotten the required doctors you need?
 
We haven’t gotten the required doctors that we need. In the last 6 months we have recruited 32 doctors and two days ago we conducted another interview in which we are going to recruit another 15 doctors. We are not relenting, we want to employ more doctors ditto to other health workers. We want to employ nurses, laboratory technicians and pharmacists.
 
Q: Was it true that the State laid off some doctors who call bluff government’s No Work, No Pay rule while on strike in 2016?  
 
During this time none of our doctors was sacked, nobody was reprimanded for that strike action and we did not bring any doctor in to replace those doctors. What we did was that we mobilized those doctors who were working with the local government to come and stand in for them because they did not join the strike. We are even employing more doctors because we know that we need them.
 
Q: Are there any sensitization programmes for the people in the rural areas?
 
We are sensitizing through radio and we are mobilizing town criers which we will continue to do and teach them on the need for them to see and know how to maintain, prevent and take good care of their health and living hygienic lifestyle.
 
Q: Now that Nigerian Medical Association, Osun State Chapter have resumed from the industrial action they embarked on, have you resolved the issue between the government and the Union permanently? 
 
We have met with the executives of the union and we keep channel of communication open and we are still meeting with them, we know that they have suspended the strike and gave us 14 days or so in which their demands should be met. We would do our best between what the state can afford.

Journalists as the fourth estate of the realm and watchdogs of the nation have been advised to always balance their stories when reporting sensitive issues.

 
 
 
 
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Adelani Baderinwa gave this charge while playing host to the Managing Director, Independence Newspaper, Mr. Adedamola Ogidan in his office.
The Commissioner said that, it was high time that journalists refrained from financial inducement and political influence while reporting, in order to protect the ethics and ethos of the profession.
Mr. Baderinwa eulogised the Management and Editorial Board of The Independent Newspaper for a virile, informative and balanced reports which are the bedrock of reasonable journalism. He took time to explain the giant strides of Ogbeni Aregbesola’s administration in the State of Osun which he ascribed to be a product of prudent financial management which led to the payment of modulated salaries which will soon be corrected immediately the financial resources of the State improves.
The Commissioner enjoined the Management and Editorial board of the Independent newspaper to give positive, un-biased reports about the State of Osun in order to erase the wrong notions that might have been planted in some people.
Earlier , the Managing Director, the Independent newspaper, Mr. Adedamola Ogidan said that, the visit to the Commissioner and Management of the State of Osun Ministry of Information and Strategy was borne out of the need to inform stakeholders of the emergence of The Independent newspaper from the hitherto nomenclature of the Daily Independent. He also said that, the State of Osun is one of the States the newspaper believes in, especially in the areas of physical and human development coupled with the relative peace that pervades the State. Mr. Ogidan pledged the commitment of his media outfit to objective, unbiased and balanced reports about the State of Osun and all other States in the country.

Various stakeholders in the education sector have been enjoined to join hands with government in the onerous task of developing education in the state of Osun, for the future of the state to be bright.

This is just as the 1989 set of the Old Students Association of St Charles High School, Osogbo were commended for the rehabilitation of the library complex constructed within the school. Chairman, Osun Education Quality Assurance and Morality Enforcement Agency, Dr Isiaka Ayo Owoade stated these during an unscheduled assessment visit to the school. He said the efforts of the Aregbesola administration in the education sector will yield more positive results if members of the general public join hands in the maintenance of facilities which government has provided.

Dr Owoade, who took time to inspect past and present WAEC results especially that of 2017, said it is gratifying to discover that, majority of the students who sat for the examination came out with flying colours showing great improvements. While calling on teachers to intensify efforts at ensuring that students performance continue to improve, the Chairman called on the teachers to improve on the teacher/students mentorship culture as a means of improving learning.

He however, warned them to be gender sensitive so as not to destroy the motive, while also calling on parents to ensure that their children are fully focused on education and avoid distracting them with other ventures.

Also speaking, Executive Secretary of the Agency, Mr Lawrence Oyeniran who commended the general conduct of the school charged the teachers to keep up the good work in the quest to taking education in Osun to greater heights. In his own remarks, the Principal of the school, Mr Anthony Famoriyo said the creation of the agency was a step in the right direction as it has gone a long way in sanitizing the school system in Osun.

The Government of the State of Osun has warned those miscreants among the Okada riders in the State who engage in unruly and provocative behaviours to desist from such acts or face the wrath of the law.
The Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Kazeem Salami gave this warning during a crucial meeting with Okada riders’ representative on the recent face-off between Osun Traffic Marshals and Okada riders in the State.
According to him, the present administration led by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola recognises the simple fact that, a lot of people derive their means of livelihood from the proceeds of Okada riding, hence would not do anything that would deprive them of this right. However, the Okada riders must behave within the ambits of the law.
The Commissioner stressed that, the O’TRAM was established by the State government in order to control traffic, enforce law and to bring sanity to our roads. While decrying the bad attitudes of some Okada riders who are bent on tarnishing the image of the government, Engr. Salami said such behaviours would not be tolerated.
Engr. Salami posited that, Okada riders should be law abiding and avoid driving against the free flow of traffic and that they should report any of their officials who attempt to extort money from them to the appropriate quarters.

The State Government of Osun has said the activities of vandals on some government facilities especially Streetlight installations has become worrisome and will be addressed aggressively in no distant time.
 

 
 
The lamentation was part of deliberations of members after the weekly meeting of State Executive Council presided over by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori held on Wednesday.
 
Decisions of the council about the development of things in the state were conveyed through a release made available to OSUN DEFENDER by the Media Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Mr. Sola Fasure on Thursday.
 
The statement reads, “Council received report that street light cables are being vandalised, plunging roads in parts of the state into darkness at night and undermining the constant efforts of the government at illuminating the streets.
 
“Council strongly condemns this act of sabotage. Council therefore urges law enforcement agencies, neighbourhood watch associations, traditional rulers and residents to be vigilant and watch out for the activities of vandals, protect public infrastructure and prevent further acts of vandalism of street lights.
 
Aside the issue of Streetlights, the state cabinet also addressed other sundry issues in the State.
 
The Council however announced the set up of a five man committee to look into commercial purposes that Osogbo Sports Stadium is annexing.
 
“The committee’s mandate will be to determine the current status of the stadium;  ascertaining what commercial uses the stadium is being put to currently; what are the revenue potentials of the stadium and if these are being realised and make recommendations on how best to optimise the revenue generation potentials of the stadium.”
 
Meanwhile, Council commended the sense of sacrifice of the members of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), and other unions working in government hospitals across the State for returning to work and the smooth healthcare delivery.
 
The statement added that “Council ratified the selection of Prince Agunsoye from Agunsoye Ruling House as the Elegboro of Ijebu Jesa, in Oriade Local Government Area.”
 
“The stool of Elegboro became vacant following the departure of the last Elegboro, Oba Felix Taiwo Aribisala Ajigiteri II on March 9, 2017.”
 
“Prince Agunsoye was selected among the five princes that contested to be Elegboro and received the unanimous votes of the kingmaker. Council congratulates him and wishes him a peaceful, prosperous and successful reign,” Fasure concluded.