Mrs Florence Ajimobi former first lady of Oyo State was among the categories of other prominent Nigerians honoured in meritorious award from Dove Healthcare Foundation recently.
Responding to the award the former first lady says Nigeria’s healthcare system needs a paradigm shift to close the equity gap in health created by poverty, insecurity and economic harsh conditions that continues to drive health workers to developed countries.
She added that Nigerians needed to come up with innovations and incentives to change the trend, as well as traditional healthcare businesses transforming in significant ways to meet the teeming health needs of the people.
Mrs Ajimobi spoke at the Dove HealthCare Awards 2023 held at University College Hospital Ibadan (UCH), Ibadan to recognise outstanding performances among healthcare workers and companies cutting across healthcare and related services.
At the occasion, Nigerian Tribune Newspaper got multiple awards; the outstanding media award for healthcare report in print and online; the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency received an award of excellence on outstanding Health Insurance Scheme; and the outstanding tertiary healthcare provider of the year was won by the University College Hospital(UCH).
Vanguard Pharmacy had the outstanding pharmacy Retail Company and Rábì Abdallah, head of the Health Desk at the NTA Network, won the outstanding media award (broadcast), among many others.
Mrs Ajimobi, represented by Dr Olamiji Ajanaku, Chief of Operations at the Access to Basic Medical Healthcare Foundation lauded Dove Health Care for recognising the meritorious service of the awardees in the healthcare space, noting that it would further deepen their commitment to do more in the health sector.
Oyo State Commissioner of Health, Dr Taiwo Ladipo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Health, Dr Olusoji Adeyanju, said the award was a recognition of different individuals and groups contribution to the health sector, and a pointer that collectively, we can make a difference to healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
In his acceptance speech, the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Sola Akande dedicated the award to over 300,000 enrollees in the state and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for providing the enabling environment for the Agency as well as the entire staff.
The organizer of Dove HealthCare Award 2023, Mrs Bola Otegbayo -Ajibola, explained that the event was to further motivate stakeholders whose commitment had complemented Federal Government’s efforts in the health sector, and called for enhanced welfare for medical personnel.
“The Federal Government is trying, but they are overwhelmed, so we need people that can raise us up in the healthcare sector. Of course, when such people give, they should be recognised and that is the idea behind the Dove Health Care Award 2023.
“When you reward someone, that person gets to do more. So, this is like motivation and at the same time encouragement to others to donate to the health sector