The head of Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Muyideen Olatunji, urged various groups to work together to fully achieve women’s rights, opportunities, and aspirations in order to decrease poverty in society.
He made this request during a program to raise awareness for pregnant women and nursing mothers at Agbongbon Primary Health Care Centre in the Ibadan South East Local Government Area of the state.
Olatunji stated that there needs to be cooperation among stakeholders to ensure that all women, regardless of their financial status, can access the services they require.
He also called for continued investment in healthcare, enhancement of infrastructure, and training of healthcare personnel to deliver quality services.
“There is a need for collaboration among various stakeholders to ensure full realization of women’s rights, opportunities, and aspirations in order to reduce poverty in society. Therefore, I urge all stakeholders – the government, the private sector, and civil society organizations – to ensure that we prioritize healthcare services for women. Through collective effort, we can make a significant impact on the lives of women and girls.
“We are reminded that health is not only a fundamental human right, but also a prerequisite for achieving gender equality. When women have access to healthcare services, they can take charge of their lives and futures. They can be healthy, educated, productive, and engaged in their communities. They can rightfully contribute to the economy and society.
“We have a moral and economic duty to ensure that all women and girls have access to the healthcare services they require. And we understand that investing in women’s health is one of the most effective methods to decrease poverty, build a strong economy, and enhance social and political stability,” he explained.
In his statement, the representative of the Society for Family Health and the Coordinator of the awareness campaign, Abiroh Sebastine, mentioned that ensuring women have access to high-quality healthcare services is not only the right thing to do, but it is also an investment in the future.
He mentioned, “When women have access to information and services, they are empowered to make decisions about their own health, and this can have a ripple effect on the health of their families and communities.
“We hope that this campaign will encourage others to join the fight for women’s health and ensure that every woman has the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life,” he stated.
Sebastine added that the campaign aimed to raise awareness about the importance of women’s health and to advocate for policies and initiatives that will enhance women's access to healthcare.
