Govt Interventions Without Adequate Data Fruitless – Medical Expert

Governments at all levels have been urged to make use of data in planning and decision-making in order to affect the lives of citizens positively. 

The Head of Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, Department of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Osun State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olasunboye Oyetunde, gave the charge on Tuesday, during a media roundtable to commemorate the 2024 World Population Day in Osogbo. 

According to Dr. Oyetunde, governments may not get it right until adequate data is used in planning their intervention activities. 

His words, “It is very important that we use data for all our planning. For us to alleviate poverty, it is about bridging the gap between the rich and the poor and we have to identify where those poor people are. 

“To identify this set of people, there is a need for accurate data. Every decision that we take as policymakers at every level must be data-driven. 

READ: Osun Law Students Commend Adeleke Over Release Of Bursary 

“Data will help to identify where the gaps are and interventions can be targeted towards meeting those particular gaps which will actually lead to a reduction in marginalisation. 

“I think the distribution of palliative by the state governors should be data-driven so that it will reach the vulnerable ones and move up the ladder. Without data, the palliative may be going to those who can actually afford it. We know the situation is bitting on everybody, but it is bitting harder on some people. 

“We should guide every distribution of the various interventions of government through data in order to achieve the aims intended.”

In her goodwill message, the Family Planning Coordinator from the state Ministry of Health, Mrs Ololade Abatan, emphasised the role of the media in the dissemination and acceptability of family planning.

Abatan charged media practitioners to put more effort into the sensitisation of residents on the importance of family planning.

 She revealed that family planning has reduced maternal mortality rate in the state, adding that Family Planning leads to healthy and a better life.