Edo State deputy governor and chairman of the Edo State Primary Healthcare (PHC) Task Force, Mr. Dennis Idahosa, has called on stakeholders and development partners to work closely with the government to consolidate and expand the gains in PHC delivery in the state.
Idahosa made the appeal while presiding over the enlarged first quarter meeting of the task force at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City.
The deputy governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, said that collaboration, accountability, effective implementation and innovation remained critical to building a resilient and responsive primary healthcare system that will meet the needs of the people.
Idashosa urged stakeholders to intensify efforts towards delivering quality healthcare services, stressing that the success of the sector will be measured through improved health indicators in the 18 local government areas of the state.
He said reliable data on maternal and child healthcare, immunisation, and other key health indices will enable the government to evaluate the impact of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE agenda on healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
Idahosa noted that the resolutions reached at the quarterly meeting will serve as a framework for assessing the effectiveness of government interventions in the health sector.
“The government is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind in the provision of quality healthcare and other essential social services,” he said.
Describing the gathering as a demonstration of the collective commitment to protecting the health of Edo residents, the deputy governor commended Governor Okpebholo for providing visionary leadership through the SHINE agenda.
He said the administration’s healthcare reforms are anchored on improving access to quality and affordable services, expanding healthcare infrastructure and strengthening the workforce.
“Primary healthcare is the first line of defence for our communities. It is through PHC that mothers and children are protected, immunisation coverage is expanded, disease surveillance is strengthened, and essential medicines reach those who need them most,” Idahosa stated.
He stressed that maternal and infant fatality from preventable causes must become a thing of the past in Edo, calling on stakeholders to align their efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on universal health coverage and improved maternal and child health outcomes.
Idahosa disclosed that the state government will continue investing in the recruitment of more healthcare personnel and the expansion of health facilities to improve access to quality healthcare services in the state.
Earlier, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, said the Okpebholo administration has recorded notable progress in revitalising primary healthcare facilities, strengthening the health workforce, improving access to essential medicines and enhancing health data systems.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Dr. Coulson Oahimire, highlighted the implementation strategies driving the state’s PHC programme and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening community-based healthcare services.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman, Edo State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Dr. Richard Edosa; Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Andrew Iyamu; and chairman of the EDSPHCDA Board, Dr. Ehiabhi Odiase.
Others were council chairmen, Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs), representatives of the Oba of Benin, faith-based organisations, civil soc
iety groups, UNICEF and other development partners.
