Ondo Redemption Front (ORF) has condemned the poor state of healthcare delivery in Ondo State following the release of the 2025 State Performance Index ranking by StatiSense, which placed Ondo State among Nigeria’s worst-rated states for public hospital care.
In a statement issued on behalf of the group by its Chairman, Dr. Ayodeji Ologun, ORF described the ranking as a “painful but accurate reflection” of the worsening condition of public healthcare facilities across the state under the administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
According to the report, Ondo State ranked 35th out of the 37 states assessed, with the rankings based on the percentage of residents satisfied with the quality of public hospitals in their respective states.
Reacting to the development, ORF stated that the ranking further exposes what it described as the “collapse of practical governance” in the health sector despite repeated government press statements claiming improvements and approvals.
“It is deeply embarrassing that Ondo State, a state historically known for intellectual advancement and progressive governance, and once adjudged to have the best primary healthcare delivery system in Sub-Saharan Africa is now ranked among the worst-performing states in public healthcare delivery in Nigeria. This is not just a statistic, it is the painful reality confronting thousands of residents daily in poorly equipped hospitals with inadequate personnel and weak emergency response systems.” The he statement read.
The group accused the state government of prioritising media propaganda over genuine healthcare reforms, adding that many of the so-called interventions repeatedly announced by the administration hardly translate into visible improvements in hospitals across the state.
“For months, the people have continued to hear long press statements about approvals, reforms, and interventions in the health sector, yet the practical reality remains alarming. Public hospitals are understaffed, medical equipment is grossly inadequate, and many healthcare facilities are operating far below acceptable standards. What the people experience daily sharply contrasts with the rosy image constantly projected by the government.” ORF stated.
The group further argued that the ranking should serve as a wake-up call to the state government, especially at a time when residents are battling worsening economic hardship and insecurity.
“It becomes even more tragic when one considers that healthcare is not a luxury but a basic necessity. A government that cannot provide efficient healthcare for its people cannot claim to be serving the public interest effectively.” The statement added.
ORF also lamented what it described as the absence of visible and impactful developmental projects across sectors in the state, insisting that the healthcare ranking is only one among several indicators pointing to what it called “a government operating without urgency, coordination, and vision.”
The group therefore called on the Ondo State Government to urgently declare a state of emergency in the healthcare sector through the recruitment of medical personnel, rehabilitation of public hospitals, provision of modern medical equipment, and improved welfare for healthcare workers.
“The people of Ondo State deserve more than press statements and political optics. They deserve functional hospitals, accessible healthcare, and a government that understands that public welfare must take precedence over politics.” The statement stressed.