The Speaker of the Ogun House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, has assured a World Bank-led delegation of sustained legislative support for rural healthcare reform.

Mr Elemide gave the assurance on Friday during a courtesy visit by officials of the World Bank, key federal ministries and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum at his office in Abeokuta.

The delegation was in the state to review public financial management practices at the primary health care level across selected local government areas.

They later visited the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, as part of broader engagements with critical stakeholders in the state’s health governance structure.

“The Ogun State House of Assembly is irrevocably committed to collaborating with the World Bank and other stakeholders.

“We will continue to support initiatives that enhance transparency, accountability and effective healthcare delivery for our people.”

The speaker explained that the legislature was responsible for lawmaking, appropriation and oversight of government programmes and public expenditure.

He clarified that while lawmakers approve budgets, the release and disbursement of funds remain within the executive’s constitutional mandate.

Mr Elemide commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for what he described as significant investments in renovating and reconstructing primary health care centres across the state.

He said the administration’s intervention had improved access to healthcare services, especially in rural and underserved communities.

However, the speaker called for increased recruitment of qualified medical personnel to address manpower shortages in many facilities.

He also advocated improved and timely funding for primary health care centres to consolidate infrastructure gains and ensure quality service delivery.

Earlier, the delegation leader, Maxwell Dapaah, acknowledged visible infrastructural improvements in several centres visited across local government areas.

Mr Dapaah said the team observed better buildings and equipment but noted operational challenges that required urgent attention.

He expressed concern over insufficient funding, weak financial controls and the lack of automation of patient records.

“These issues have been communicated to the executive arm for necessary action and policy response,” Mr Dapaah said. 

(NAN)