Ekiti records major improvement in health indices — Report 

Ekiti State has recorded significant improvements in its health indices, according to the recently released report of the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. 

The report indicated that neonatal, infant, and under-5 Mortality in the State had reduced by over 50 percent in the past five years.

According to a breakdown of the report, teenage pregnancy has reduced by 30 percent, decreased unmet need for family planning by 30 percent, and increased facility delivery by 14 percent. 

The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, noted that with the NDHS report, Ekiti State has surpassed its expected targets set four years ago. 

Filani said “45,000 additional under-5 lives have been saved between 2019 and 2024 representing 75 percent of children under-5 that would have died if we maintain 2018 under 5 mortality figures”.

Also, the state moved from 31st to 5th best performer in neonatal mortality between 2019 and 2024.

Dr. Filani, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum, said there were key strategies that contributed to the milestone, which was a significant improvement compared to what was obtainable some four years ago. 

He disclosed that despite high coverage of selected interventions four years ago, the health outcomes of the state remained suboptimal and lagged behind other southwestern states. 

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He said: “According to the 2019 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), one in 24 infants died within the first month of births, and one in 11 children died before their fifth birthday.”

The Health Commissioner said several factors were responsible for the commendable stance of the current state of the state’s health sector, including strong political leadership and support of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, leading to huge investment in the health sector, regular meeting and reviews, accountability, as well as team work.

Other strategies, according to Dr. Filani, include building aggressive partnership portfolios through demonstration of results, maintaining fiscal fidelity, and ensuring accountability through which more development partners felt comfortable working with the state. 

“All these strategies, amongst others, have not only improved health outcomes but also laid a strong foundation for a resilient and sustainable health system in Ekiti State,” he stated.