*insists its providing needed funds for centres, personnel cost
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Oyo State Ministry of Health, on Thursday declared that the state government has been providing adequate funds and personnel to the State’s isolation centres since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the state
This was contained in a report by the Permanent Secretary, Oyo state Ministry of Health, Dr. Adebisi Ayoola, in response to an allegation that paucity of funds had hit the isolation centres
Dr Ayoola while describing the allegation as ” untrue and baseless,adding that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde has been taking proactive measures to improve the needs of the people of the state and ensure the smooth running of the isolation centres.
The Permanent Secretary said the claims that the isolation centres were not funded and that health workers had not been paid were curious and unfounded.
Dr Ayoola noted that” the services being provided by the isolation centres in the state were adjudged excellent by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)”, and that “ever since the emergence of the Delta Variant of COVID-19, the state’s Isolation Centres had redoubled their energy and are functioning effectively.”
“The claims made about the paucity of funds affecting Oyo State Isolation Centres are false and baseless. One would expect the reporter to investigate thoroughly and present facts rather than creating false information for the public”, he said.
Dr Ayoola added, ” since advent of this administration, it has been taking proactive steps by improving the needs of the people; and ever since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the state, the government has been providing adequate funds for the running of the Isolation Centres and the personnel cost.”
“Furthermore, the services being provided by the centres were ranked as world class by NCDC. Also, since the Delta variant started, all the different Isolation Centres remained open and they have been functioning effectively”
He stressed further, “since the outbreak of the pandemic, the state government had been paying all COVID-19 Isolation Centres expenses through bank transfers, with banking instructions, adding that if there was any delay in payment along the line; it could be from the respective banks”.
“So, there is no truth in what was alleged in the news report. Apart from effectively running the isolation centres, the state government is spending much money for the provision of delicious meals, accommodation and payment of allowances to its health workers.Equally, additional adhoc health workers were engaged.
