Chief Executive Officer of Foster Dynamics Synergy International Limited, Temitope Alonge, has called on the Oyo State Government to reclassify its healthcare facilities, saying the current structure does not reflect their actual functionality.
Alonge made the call while presenting the report of an assessment of secondary healthcare facilities across the state, noting that several hospitals designated as secondary facilities are underperforming despite their size and staffing levels.
He said the situation has created a system where some primary healthcare centres deliver better services than facilities classified as general hospitals.
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“A lot of the secondary health care facilities are not as good as some primary health care centres,” he said.
He recommended a four-tier structure comprising primary health centres, cottage hospitals, general hospitals, and tertiary institutions, arguing that many existing general hospitals should be downgraded based on performance and capacity.
According to him, the misclassification has led to poor resource allocation, weak service delivery, and underutilisation of infrastructure, with some hospitals possessing theatre complexes comparable to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, yet unable to conduct surgeries.
Alonge also raised concerns about staffing and leadership gaps, noting that non-physicians head some facilities, while laboratory services in some centres operate with weak accountability systems.
He further highlighted disparities in hospitals in communities such as Fiditi and Igboho, where diaspora interventions have supported upgrades.
He also advocated structured emergency response systems, including the Cambridge Colour Code, and commended the state’s 615 emergency service, stressing that proper classification is key to effective referrals.
On pharmaceuticals, he called for a Drug Management Agency (DMA) to reduce costs and improve drug distribution.
The Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, in her response, described the exercise as a government-approved reform aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery.
She said the assessment, approved by Governor Seyi Makinde in 2024, covered infrastructure, equipment, and personnel across secondary health facilities.
According to her, the findings would guide government decisions on upgrades and restructuring.
“What we have now is a report that gives the government a clear picture from an independent perspective,” she said.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving efficiency, referral systems, and overall healthcare delivery across the state.
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