Edo Reaffirms Commitment To Universal Health Coverage, Strengthens Push For Quality Healthcare
The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the state’s healthcare system and achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through transparency, accountability, evidence-based planning and strategic partnerships.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, gave the assurance while declaring open the 2026 Edo State Joint Annual Review (JAR) on Universal Health Coverage on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo in Benin City.
Dr. Oshiomhole conveyed the governor’s appreciation to development partners, health professionals, local government officials, traditional institutions, community representatives and other stakeholders for their continued support in improving healthcare delivery across the state.
He said the broad participation reflected a shared commitment to providing quality healthcare through effective leadership, transparency, accountability and evidence-based decision-making.
Describing the Joint Annual Review as one of the state’s key health sector accountability mechanisms, the commissioner said it provides a platform for government, development partners, local government authorities, healthcare providers, communities and the private sector to assess sector performance, review progress, identify gaps and develop practical strategies for improving healthcare services.
He urged participants to engage in productive discussions, share innovative ideas and best practices, and make recommendations that would strengthen the health system and improve health outcomes across the state.
Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Health Supply Chain–Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) Project and the Corona Management System Team commended the Edo State Government for convening the review. They described it as a vital platform for promoting accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement in healthcare service delivery.
Earlier, the Director of Planning in the Edo State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Iruobe Lauretta, said the review would evaluate health sector performance, assess programme implementation and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, expressing confidence that the exercise would generate actionable recommendations to improve service delivery and advance the state’s vision of accessible, affordable and quality healthcare for all residents.
Presentations during the technical sessions highlighted key public health programmes. Dr. Sonia Aimiehinon Balogun said the state’s Routine Immunisation Programme provides vaccines against major vaccine-preventable diseases, including BCG, Oral Polio Vaccine, Inactivated Polio Vaccine, Pentavalent, Rotavirus, Measles-Rubella, Yellow Fever and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for eligible girls aged nine to 14 years. She added that the programme targets at least 90 per cent coverage for Pentavalent 3 and Measles-Rubella vaccines across all 18 local government areas by December 2026.
Speaking on the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme, Mr. Okhuoya Onomen said the initiative provides free diagnosis and treatment, conducts community sensitisation campaigns, supports contact tracing and Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy, while aligning with national strategies to reduce the burden of tuberculosis and related diseases.
Officials of the state’s malaria control programme highlighted ongoing interventions to improve malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment, prevent malaria in pregnancy, expand the distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets and strengthen case management through improved health information systems. Although they acknowledged challenges such as occasional commodity stock-outs and insecurity in some communities, they noted significant progress in malaria control and called for intensified efforts to expand preventive treatment in pregnancy and increase net coverage.
Also speaking, the State AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections Control Programme (SASCP), represented by Mr. Armstrong Wazil Atebor, said the programme coordinates Edo State’s response to HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections through integrated and equitable healthcare services.
He noted that the programme is expanding access to antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV, including pregnant women and children, with the goal of achieving viral suppression and eliminating new infections.
In another presentation, Dr. Oghenekaro Onoriose described non-communicable diseases as a growing public health challenge responsible for about 30 per cent of deaths in Nigeria, disclosing that more than 850 residents had been screened through community-based interventions in 2026.
