19/02/2026
APIN Public Health Initiative Implementing Partners Visit State Specialist Hospital, Ondo
The APIN Public Health Initiative implementing partners in Ondo State paid a courtesy visit to the management of the State Specialist Hospital (SSH), Ondo, as part of efforts to strengthen the integration of service delivery for patients living with HIV into the general health system.
Speaking during the visit, the Team Leader and Head of APIN Public Health Initiative in Ondo State, Pharm. Olubusola Ojo, explained that prior to the partial withdrawal of funding by the United States Government, APIN—an agency responsible for the treatment, care, and sensitization of people living with HIV—had commenced the integration of health care provision for people living HIV into routine healthcare delivery across the state.
She noted that State Specialist Hospital, Ondo, currently falls under the category of facilities with partial integration and emphasized the need for improvement. According to her, integrated service delivery would ensure that patients living with HIV access care in a less stigmatized environment, see doctors alongside other patients, register using the same hospital system, receive drugs at the main pharmacy, and experience improved retention and tracking.
Also speaking, Mr. Ogunsuyi,a representative of the Ondo State AIDS Control Agency (ODSACA), commended the hospital management for its dedication since the inception of the program. He stressed that hospital cards and patient numbers for people living with HIV should be the same as those issued to all other patients. He added that while the ad-hoc staff are performing commendably, the government should employ more personnel and absorb qualified ad-hoc workers to enhance service delivery.
In his response, the Head of APIN at State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Modupe, appreciated the impact of APIN in the hospital, highlighting the hospital’s support in providing utilities such as electricity and generator services during clinic days. He disclosed that the hospital would commence dispensing HIV drugs at the main pharmacy and reaffirmed that all patients attending the hospital are issued hospital cards and numbers. He, however, noted the challenge of limited space for storing patient cards and recommended the adoption of an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system for seamless service delivery.
The Chief Medical Director, Dr. Adeola Akintade, stated that the hospital has a Quality Improvement Committee in place to ensure effective, efficient, and equitable healthcare services. He further revealed that the Ondo State Government has introduced i-ONDO, which has already commenced in revenue services and will soon be extended to healthcare. He assured the team that staff orientation would begin shortly and that the integration of services would be gradually implemented.