Ondo Issues Strict Performance Warning to Underperforming Primary Health Workers
Mirian Gom 
AKURE, Nigeria – The Ondo State Government has issued a stern warning to primary healthcare workers across its 18 local government areas, saying their continued retention in service will depend strictly on performance outcomes, particularly in immunisation and community health delivery.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, communicated the directive on Sunday during a meeting with local government primary healthcare directors.
Akanbiemu expressed concern over declining performance indicators in several localities despite what he described as “substantial investment” by the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the primary health sector.
“Primary health workers have no excuse to perform below expectation,” he said. “The government has invested heavily in infrastructure and manpower recruitment. Henceforth, performance will determine continued stay in office.”
He urged health workers to intensify community sensitisation and outreach to improve immunisation uptake, reaffirming that Ondo State is historically known for strong immunisation outcomes.
According to him, the government has already approved the recruitment of more doctors and health workers to reinforce service delivery, especially in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
He noted that plans were underway to provide logistics and operational support to workers in hinterland communities, ensuring service delivery is not hindered by geographical barriers.
Also speaking, the State Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr. Victor Adefesoye, emphasised the need for local government coordinators to strengthen monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
“We expect 100 per cent commitment. Every child in every ward must be covered,” Adefesoye said.
The state recently deployed over 1,000 newly recruited health professionals across facilities, reinforcing the government’s commitment to improving grassroots healthcare.
About the Author
Chukwu Obinna 
