The Ondo State Government has announced a new set of healthcare reforms aimed at strengthening medicines security, expanding local pharmaceutical production, improving diagnostic services and attracting more private-sector investment into the state’s health system.

Senior Consultant on Pharmaceutical and Medical Investments to the state government, Dr. Samuel Adekola, disclosed the initiatives during a familiarisation visit to the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo.

Adekola said Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa had approved the establishment of the Ondo State Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Hub, which is expected to strengthen the state’s drug supply chain, encourage local pharmaceutical manufacturing and support biotechnology research.

According to him, the project is also designed to position Ondo State as a major centre for pharmaceutical and health innovation while reducing dependence on external sources for essential medicines.

The consultant also revealed that the governor had approved the procurement of critical diagnostic equipment for health facilities across the state.

He said the equipment would improve early detection of diseases, strengthen clinical decision-making and enhance treatment outcomes for patients.

Adekola identified UNIMEDTH as a key institution in the implementation of the reforms because of its clinical expertise, research capacity and operational experience.

He also called for stronger collaboration between the teaching hospital and the Ondo State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency (OSDHCMA), describing the agency as central to the state’s medicines supply and distribution system.

According to him, closer coordination would help address drug shortages, reduce the risk of substandard medicines entering the supply chain and improve transparency in the procurement and distribution of medical commodities.

“For us to eliminate stockouts, prevent circulation of substandard medicines, and maintain a transparent supply chain, UNIMEDTH must be fully aligned with the Agency’s systems and processes,” Adekola said.

He disclosed that OSDHCMA is expected to evolve into a State Drugs and Health Commodities Distribution Centre, with responsibility for supplying both public and private health institutions within and outside Ondo State.

Adekola added that operational guidelines for the initiative were being developed, with stakeholders across the health sector expected to participate in the process following the approval of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka.

State Introduces Clinical Nutrition Model

As part of the reforms, the government is also introducing an evidence-based nutrition model for patients admitted to hospitals across the state.

Under the proposed system, meals will be tailored to patients’ medical conditions, metabolic requirements and recovery needs rather than being treated simply as routine hospital feeding.

Adekola said the approach could help improve treatment outcomes, reduce complications and shorten hospital stays.

He said UNIMEDTH would play a leading role in implementing and refining the programme, while the state government plans to collaborate with the West Africa Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN).

Government Seeks Private Investment in Health Sector

The consultant also urged the management of UNIMEDTH to identify areas where Public-Private Partnership arrangements could improve services.

He listed diagnostic services, medical imaging, specialised clinics, digital health infrastructure and biomedical engineering among areas that could attract private investment.

Adekola said the reforms reflected the Aiyedatiwa administration’s plan to move the state’s health sector towards greater efficiency, sustainability and institutional collaboration.

Responding, the Chief Medical Director of UNIMEDTH, Prof. Michael Gbala, commended the state government for improvements recorded in the health sector in recent years, particularly the increased availability of medical professionals.

Gbala, however, called for further improvements in the supply and management of essential medicines to ensure that patients have access to critical drugs whenever they are needed.

He stressed that hospitals should maintain stocks of medicines that may not be frequently used but could become lifesaving during emergencies.

Citing anti-venom as an example, Gbala said a snakebite victim could not afford to wait while health workers searched for the medicine after an emergency had occurred.

The CMD therefore called for the identification of critical medicines and stronger coordination among health facilities to ensure that such drugs are readily available when required.

The reforms form part of the Ondo State Government’s broader effort to strengthen healthcare delivery, improve medicine availability and build a more resilient health system.