MDAs

MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS & AGENCIES

©2024 Edo State Government

Edo State Deputy Gov assures responsive, resilient Health Care System… As EDSG convenes PHCs’ 2nd Quarter Task Force Meeting

  1. Home
  2. »
  3. News
  4. »
  5. Edo State Deputy Gov assures responsive, resilient Health Care System… As EDSG convenes PHCs’ 2nd…

 

By Godspower Eguasa

The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa has reiterated the Sen. Monday Okpebholo-led administration’s commitment to prioritizing the health and well-being of residents in the State, assuring a more responsive and resilient primary healthcare system that will cater for the health needs of residents across the three senatorial districts of the State.

Rt. Hon. Idahosa made this known in a statement endorsed by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, during the second quarter meeting of the Task Force on Primary Health Care, which held on Thursday, 19th of June, 2025, at the new Festival Hall of the Edo State Government House in Benin City.

The Deputy Governor solicited the collective efforts and collaboration of key stakeholders, especially council chairmen of the 18 local government areas of the State on the fight against the new disease outbreak, including diphtheria and dengue fever among children, and young adults. He commended the efforts of development partners, such as the World Health Organization (WHO); the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); among others, in joining the State to achieve greater results in health care responses.

In his words, “It is with great honour and appreciation that I welcome you all to this second quarterly PHC Task Force meeting. Your collective dedication and unwavering commitments to strengthening primary health care (PHC’s) services in Edo State, do not go unnoticed. From policy makers to frontline health workers; from community leaders to development partners; you all are driving change, ensuring that Edo health care system evolves to meet the needs of our people.

“Looking back at the inaugural meeting, we came together as a unifying front, recognizing the urgency of our mission to build a more efficient, accessible, and well-coordinated PHC system. That meeting sets a foundation for collaborative efforts, guiding us to think critically about the gap within our health care system and the practical steps needed to address it. Today, we reconvene not only to reflect, but to evaluate our progress, identify challenges, and recalibrate where necessary.

“I request that all stakeholders provide updates on actions taken since our last meeting, offering insights into progress achieved, barriers encountered, and areas requiring stronger interventions. It is through this discussion that we all refine our collective approach and ensure a resilient and responsive PHC system in Edo State”.

Rt. Hon. Idahosa, who commended the strategic approach of Sen. Monday Okpebholo to repositioning the health care system of the State, noted he was optimistic that with interventions currently in the works, the Primary Health Care System will be a game changer in responding to the health needs of residents in the State.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomole highlighted the status and active measures ongoing in the State in addressing and protecting the health of residents against diphtheria and dengue fever outbreak, which is ravaging the Country. He commended the effort of the Governor, development partners, and that of the State’s Health Surveillance Team in ensuring a safe state for residents.

Dr. Oshimole said, ” When we held our inaugural meeting, we set a clear vision to build a responsive, resilient, and people-centered primary health care system in our State. Today, we are faced with a true test of that vision; a diphtheria outbreak spreading across several local governments in the Country, including ours; an emerging threat of dengue fever in our communities. As at June 18th, we had recorded seven confirmed cases of dengue fever at Irrua Specialist Hospital. At the same time, we are actively battling an ongoing diphtheria outbreak, which has already affected vulnerable populations and claimed three lives.

“In response, we have commenced reactive diphtheria vaccination for children aged five to 14 years in the affected areas. I want to commend our Surveillance officers, Routine Immunization Team, and Disease Control Unit for rising to this occasion. But we cannot do this alone. We must act together. We must act now”.