Ministry of Budget and National Planning inaugurates Staff Clinic

The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, on Wednesday, inaugurated the newly-established staff clinic on the premises of the office complex to carter to the health needs of staff members of the Ministry.

Agba said the initiative was also aimed at improving productivity of the staff members and spurring them to greater heights, as the health of the workforce was an indicator in gauging the economic potential of any country, globally.

The Minister added that the establishment of the clinic couldn’t have come at a better time than now, given the current health pandemic.
“With the new clinic, we aim to reduce modifiable health risk factors and lost work days while helping our staff memberd control existing health conditions,” he stated.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Olusola Idowu, said that the need for a functional health facility in every government institution led to the establishment of the clinic, in line with global best practices, which emphasised the provision of health/welfare facilities to enhance the working environment for staff members.

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She noted that the project would, without a doubt, enhance the health status and increase life expectancy of staff members.

Idowu encouraged the staff memberd to take advantage of the facility and the dividends it offered.

A statement by the Director of Information, Mrs Victoria Agba-Attah quoted Idowu to have said: “The facility comprises a mini Laboratory and Pharmacy with the full complements of a Doctor, Nurse, Pharmacist and Laboratory Scientist.”

The Representative of the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr (Mrs) Jaya Adebiyi, in a goodwill message, lauded the management of Budget and National Planning for the good initiative, which, according to her, would go a long way to taking care of primary healthcare  needs of the staff members.

Also speaking, the Head of Mission, Doctors without Borders, Mr Ewald Stals, congratulated the Ministry on establishing the staff clinic, which he also said would be of immense benefit to the staff members.

In the same vein, Managing Director, United Healthcare, Dr Kolawole Owoka, pledged to assist the new staff clinic by making available two Optometrists who would conduct free eye check for staff members of the Ministry. The eye check would run from 10th to 11th December, 2020.

In a vote of thanks, the Director of Administration in the Ministry, Mr Lanre Adekanye applauded the Minister and Permanent Secretary for keying into the project and sourcing for funds outside the conventional releases to actualize the project.