In a bid to enhance healthcare service delivery in Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo has commissioned the Edo National Association Worldwide (ENAW) Dialysis and Diagnostic Centre in Benin City, calling for stronger partnerships among stakeholders to drive effective and sustainable healthcare delivery.
The governor, represented at the event by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomole, said he was honoured to commission the facility and commended ENAW for its selfless contribution to the health sector. He described the centre as a symbol of hope and compassion, noting that dialysis services are critical and life-saving.
Dr. Oshiomole said the facility would enable timely medical interventions, improve treatment outcomes, reduce healthcare costs and strengthen Edo State’s healthcare infrastructure.
“For many families, access to dialysis determines whether a loved one lives or dies. By bringing this service closer to the people, suffering is reduced, dignity is restored and many families are given a renewed chance at life,” he said.
He added that the diagnostic centre was equally important, stressing that early diagnosis was key to effective treatment.
“In healthcare, diagnosis is the gateway to effective treatment. When we diagnose early, we treat better, spend less and save more lives. This centre therefore stands as a strong pillar in both preventive and curative healthcare delivery in Edo State,” he said.
The governor reaffirmed that the initiative aligned with his administration’s health vision, which emphasises teamwork and collaboration. He pledged continued government support for the centre and urged healthcare professionals to uphold high standards in service delivery.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Office of the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, represented by the Chief Medical Director of the Edo Specialist Hospital, Dr. Anthonia Njoku, described healthcare as a core component of Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda.
She said the commissioning reflected the passion of both the governor and the First Lady for improving the health of Edo citizens, adding that significant progress would be recorded in the health sector in the coming years through partnerships and stakeholder collaboration.
“We need collaborators and stakeholders, and we are pleased that the Edo National Association Worldwide has made this contribution. It reflects unity, patriotism and commitment to the development of Edo State,” she said.
Mrs. Anani commended the leadership of ENAW for promoting solidarity and development, urging the association to remain focused on people-oriented initiatives, cultural promotion and national development.
In her welcome address, the President of ENAW, Engr. Bose Ogbeifun-Oviasu, described the dialysis centre as a gateway to hope, healing and dignity.
“Today, we are not merely opening a building; we are opening doors to hope, healing and human dignity. This dialysis centre is a beacon of compassion, resilience and service to those who need it most,” she said.
She revealed that her vision for the centre was inspired by her sister’s struggle with dialysis in 2004, noting that the facility symbolised compassion and community spirit. She disclosed that while the Edo South Dialysis Centre had been completed and commissioned, the Okpella Centre in Edo North was 95 per cent completed, and the Ekpoma Centre in Edo Central was under construction.
Engr. Ogbeifun-Oviasu further disclosed that since commencing operations on April 2, 2025, the centre had provided dialysis services to 1,380 patients across 2,022 sessions and conducted 1,647 laboratory diagnostic services. She said the association was committed to making dialysis services more affordable for patients.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Dickson Idusuyi, commended Engr. Ogbeifun-Oviasu for establishing the centre, describing it as one of the best dialysis facilities in the country. He encouraged individuals and organisations to support the centre through donations.
Also speaking, Senator Matthew Urhoghide highlighted the prevalence of kidney-related illnesses in Nigeria, noting that one in six affected persons often goes undiagnosed. He praised the specialised care offered by the centre and called for increased advocacy, government support and collaboration to address kidney health challenges.
