Ondo State Ministry of Health has disseminated 2023 Annual Operational plan to all parastatals, agencies , partners and Civil society organisations in the State to provide prompt and accessible, qualitative and sustainable healthcare delivery system that meets the healthcare needs of the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Awolowo Ajaka while presenting the Annual Operational plan ((AOP) said the dissemination of the AOP is timely as it would inform the 2023 state budget.
In his word, Ajaka said" ideally annual operational plan should inform the state budget on Health, it is of little importance if AOP is developed after passage of the budget as was the case in 2022"
He said the Ministry took cognisance of this backdrop and ensured that the 2023 AOP is developed early enough to inform the budget preparations for the year 2023 while opining that 2023 AOP document being disseminated would in no doubt inform the 2023 budget final preparations.
The commissioner acknowledged the efforts of the development partners particularly UNICEF for funding the exercise annually.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Pharmacist (Mrs.) Folukemi Aladenola said operational planning provides among other things a road map for achieving strategic results adding that once stakeholders get the AOP right, they are closer to achieving the desired outcomes in the state's health sector.
Aladenola charged stakeholders to go through the printed AOP document and ensure its implementation as it would justify the efforts put into developing the plan as well as attain the desired goals
She appreciated the unflinching support of the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN as well as the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka in raising the bar of healthcare delivery in Ondo State.
The Permanent Secretary acknowledged the efforts of the Department of Planning, Research and Statistics at ensuring that the Annual Operational plan was disseminated early.
The Director Planning Research and Statistics,
Dr Uche Odionyenma while presenting the overview of the AOP said the timeliness of the AOP would provide roadmap for achieving strategic result and also improve implementation at all levels.