The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr Wole Oluyede, has promised a comprehensive reform of the state’s healthcare sector and the introduction of an improved social security system if elected in the June 20 governorship election.
Oluyede, a medical practitioner, said he would give priority attention to qualitative, affordable and accessible healthcare delivery.
He alleged that the condition of healthcare delivery in the state remained a serious concern at present.
Speaking at Ikere Ekiti on Tuesday during a chat with journalists as part of activities of his ongoing statewide campaign, Oluyede noted that many Ekiti residents still relied heavily on out-of-pocket payments for medical services.
He said, “Access to quality healthcare should not be determined by an individual’s financial status. My administration will implement policies aimed at achieving affordable and accessible healthcare for all residents.
“We cannot continue with a system where families are pushed into hardship because of medical expenses. The health and well-being of our people must remain a priority,” he said.
Oluyede said his administration would adopt a comprehensive healthcare reform agenda anchored on the six pillars of the World Health Organisation framework to achieve Universal Health Coverage across the state.
He stated that the first aspect of the reform would focus on strengthening leadership and governance in the health sector through community-based Mutual Health Association Committees to improve accountability, transparency, and public participation.
The PDP standard-bearer also promised to establish the Ekiti Contributory Health Insurance Scheme to provide financial protection for workers, families, and vulnerable residents against rising healthcare costs.
Speaking on the welfare of health workers, Oluyede said his administration would introduce improved working conditions, performance-based incentives, and structured reward systems to encourage efficiency and quality service delivery.
He further pledged to introduce a drug revolving fund system to ensure regular availability of essential medicines in Primary Healthcare Centres across the state, adding that the initiative would address recurring shortages of drugs in public health facilities and improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
On health data and policy planning, Oluyede said mutual health associations would assist in health monitoring and data collection to support effective planning and decision-making.
He added that PHCs would be repositioned as the foundation of healthcare delivery, particularly for residents in rural communities.
Beyond healthcare, the PDP candidate said his administration would prioritise social welfare programmes designed to support vulnerable residents and improve living standards across the state.
Oluyede urged residents to remain committed to the PDP and ensure his election on June 20, assuring them that his administration would focus on inclusive governance and people-oriented development if elected into office.