On 24th July, 2025, the Executives of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) Ekiti State Branch, led by the Chairman, *Dr. Adebowale Femi Akinwumi* paid an advocacy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Ekiti State, *Dr. Oyebanji Filani* in his office in Ado Ekiti. He warmly received our delegation.
The Chairman described the purpose of the visit as one to identify with the Hon. Commissioner on the good works he’s doing for the people of Ekiti State which have led to improved health status, as evident from some recently released health indicators such as low infant mortality rate, low Under-five mortality rate, etc.; and the successful *_Ulerawa_* social health insurance programme for provision of free essential maternal and child healthcare services, immunisation, family planning and malaria treatment across the State. Also, we pledged our support to the various health programmes and praised the administration for the ongoing renovation of primary and secondary health facilities across the State.
The Chairman also encouraged him to do more in the area of universal health coverage (UHC) and address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among residents of the State. Furthermore, he requested that Department of Public Health be created in the secondary health facilities across the State, in line with the directive of the National APHPN, and pleaded with the state government to consider more members of the Association for board appointments into health and health-related agencies and corporations. We equally urged him to provide more ambulance services for health emergencies in the State.
Responding, the Hon. Commissioner, (who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Health Commissioners’ Forum), appreciated the Association for the visit and welcomed our support to the administration. He said, the issue of UHC is important to the state government, that more categories of population will be onboarded to state health insurance programme as more fund is available. He promised to consider the Association’s request for Public Health department in the general hospitals if there’s any document to this effect. He promised to support the Association in any area within his capacity.
Other members of the Association on the visit include the Chairman, Hospital Management Board (HMB) Dr Austine Ibikunle, the Asst. Gen. Secretary Dr Leke Olaoye, PRO Dr Adeyemi Famous, Treasurer Dr Omotayo Alabi and Dr Olajumoke Atanda-Owoeye.
Signed:
*Dr. Famous Adeyemi*
_PRO_
*Dr. Adebowale F. Akinwumi*
_Chairman_
