The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Hon Kunle Yusuff says the Political will by Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde to achieve some critical elements of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has been his major drive to invest in the health sector as one of his four cardinal agenda.
This came to the fore as Makinde commissioned the High Dependence Unit at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State this Tuesday.
According to the SDGs boss, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs, also known as the Global Goals) are 17 goals with 169 targets that all UN Members States have agreed to work towards achieving by the year 2030.
“They set out a vision for a world free from Poverty, Hunger and Disease.
Health has a central place in SDG 3 “Ensure⁹ healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”, underpinned by 13 targets that cover a wide spectrum of WHO’s work.
Almost all of the other 16 goals are related to health or their achievement will contribute to health Enhancements. Goal 3 of SDGs is extremely important and related to 16 others of Global goals because it’s also an important element of National Security, Public health is not only functions to provide adequate and timely medical care but to also track, monitor and control any disease outbreak.”
“Health spending is not a cost, it’s an investment in poverty reduction, jobs, productivity, inclusive economic growth, and healthier, safer, fairer societies.” This was said by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General. The health of each individual affects not just themselves but also society. It is no wonder that healthcare expenditure accounts for 10% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP).”
Speaking further, Hon Yusuff noted that based on an analysis by UN- SDGs World in Data, there is an upward trajectory relationship between health expenditure and life expectancy for several rich countries, although the USA is an outlier.
“Health is crucial for Sustainable Human Development, both as an inalienable human right and an essential contributor to the economic growth of society. Health is also a good summative measure of the progress of Nations in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. It contributes to National development through productive employment, reduced expenditure on illness care and greater social cohesion.
“By promoting good health at all ages, the benefits of development extend across generations. Investments in primary health care can promote health across all social groups and reduce health inequities within and between countries.
“Improving performance of health systems by enhancing financial and human resources, appropriate use of technology, community empowerment and good governance will advance this agenda. The potential for providing large-scale employment as frontline health workers, particularly to women and young persons, should be utilized to strengthen the economy and improve health services.”
He said, “referring to Governor Seyi Makinde as Ambassador of UN- SDGs is not out of Order or an hyperbole because of the recent investments on both Primary and Secondary Health in Oyo State.
The Executive Governor has also directed and approved for State Primary Health Boards to ensure that each Ward in Oyo State has a Standard Primary Health Care Centres across the State.
“I Am convinced beyond a reasonable doubt, that Oyo State will soon be on the UN World Map for fulfilling almost SDGs Global Agenda 2030.” Yusuff concluded
