A Review Of The Stewardship Of The Health Minister: How Impactful?

During the 2021/2022 election in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Hall,  a personality emerged, campaigning for the position of Health Minister. Miss Adegoroye Funmilayo Adenike, a student of Nursing Science, popularly called Fumero eventually won the elections. Her entry was also marked by a mission to carry out operation INCHES which stands for, Introduction and training of the health committee members by partnering with the Red Cross Society and the UI fire station, Creating a niche where over-the-counter drugs were available to residents on any block, Health Education and Health awareness. However, it is high time we critically consider if Miss Funmilayo has truly lived up to the expectations she set while running for office.                                                                                              

CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES                                                                                       

The health minister has faithfully carried out these duties from the tank washing exercises which took place thrice in the session, to water treatment of the D block tank, and ensuring that the hall cleaners and gardeners carry out their duties in keeping the hall neat. While it may seem like there had been lapses in the duties of the cleaners and gardener in carrying out their duties in the first semester and towards the end of the second semester, respectively, Miss Funmilayo revealed that she looked into these matters by working with the head of cleaners in the hall, learning of the challenges they were faced with, and reporting to the hall management for the consequent intervention, and also got to know the reason why the gardener wasn't around for some time,                                                     

Her constitutional duties also include ensuring that all cooking is done in sanitary conditions. She further stated that she took regular checks at the cafeteria’s kitchen at least once every two weeks to ensure that meals were prepared hygienically. She revealed that she got feedback from Queenites on the food served, drew the attention of the staff to lapses in hygiene, suggested the use of hair caps among the staff and availability of soap and water by the UHS. She, however, admitted to the relapse of the staff in carrying out some of the suggestions made.

Miss Fumilayo was responsible for the first aid box and also ensured a “constant supply of basic medical and drug needs” as well as ensuring that they were properly controlled and accounted for by the University Health Service. Speaking to Miss Fumilayo, the Health minister noted explicitly that she was able to carry this plan by creating a health committee in which two volunteers from each block were selected in the first semester. She stated that in this selection, one of them would be in charge of handling the drugs. She explained that she provided a coverable plastic plate where the drugs; Felvin, Buscopan, vitamin C, etc, in the prescription bags would be kept. She also revealed that the hall management supplied other first aid boxes on blocks F, G, and I and the keys to the boxes were given to the health committee members on the blocks. This went in line with one of her agenda for the tenure which was ‘Creating a niche where over-the-counter drugs were available to residents on any  block.

HER WORDS AND DEEDS

Having examined the office of the health commissioner through the lens of the constitution, it is important to analyse her manifesto, looking critically at the validity of her promises. 

Her first plan,  to introduce and train the health committee members was to be done in partnership with the UI Red Cross society and the UI fire station, ensuring that those who attend the training are empowered with critical life-saving skills. This debt of promise has been paid in the first semester of the session.                 

Next, Miss Funmilayo  promised to create a niche where over-the-counter drugs would be available to Queenites on any block. This clearly has been achieved from the creation of the health committee consisting of two members from each block to the distribution of drugs to these representatives and the creation of first aid boxes in other blocks by the hall management. 

 Thirdly, Miss Funmilayo  talked about carrying out  Health Education and Health awareness. She promised to begin a monthly health education series to enlighten Queenites on the rate and control of infections, reduce the spread of disease, and foster healthy living among them. She further stated that she would work alongside the PRO, Miss Anita by sending out health tips on the WhatsApp platforms of each block and the Queens Hall Instagram page, while some were printed out and pasted on the noticeboard at different parts of the hostel. Her plans began with full force in the first semester and gradually reduced in the second semester.  Miss Funmilayo admitted to this without giving the reason for the drop in performance. This monthly health education was an impactful strategy in also ensuring the well-being of Queenites. It sent strong reminders to the Queenites regarding their health in the first semester and it would have been note worthy to see more of them in the second semester.

Lastly, Miss Funmilayo promised to address Freshers on the use of toilets and proper disposition of menstrual pads. During the Freshers' orientation, Miss Funmilayo taught the Freshers how to properly dispose of menstrual pads through practical demonstration.                                                            

In conclusion, having observed the works of the Health Minister throughout her tenure, we can say that she has faithfully carried out her duties while fulfilling her promises to Queenites. Although, a few of her plans lacked consistency, regardless Miss. Fumilayo worked in earnest to serve Queen Elizabeth II Hall.