By Agbonlahor Felicia
The Edo State Government has inaugurated a Primary Health Care Data Governance Committee for the improvement of the health care service delivery system in the State.
The inauguration was held at the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency during the week and featured several dignitaries across MDAs.
While giving his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary, of Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen urged the Agency’s Program Officers and Monitoring/Evaluation Officers (M&E) to always provide quality, comprehensive, and timely data to the appropriate channels as soon as they conclude their services. Stressing that data is proof of their efficiency.
Dr Izedonmwen emphasized that health workers are shortchanged when they fail to adequately report the services and activities carried out, which would further lead to a futile effort.
Highlighting the importance of data in primary healthcare delivery, the Director of Disease Control and Immunization, Dr. Gideon Iraoyah noted that data helps to avoid duplication of efforts, monitor resources, improve strategies, and provide statistics for program monitoring.
“A Primary Healthcare Data Governance Committee is very crucial for ensuring that primary healthcare data is collected, managed and used in a responsible, ethical and effective manner to improve the health outcomes for patients in Edo State,” Dr Iraoyah said.
Also speaking at the event, the Acting Director, of the Department of Planning, Research and Statistics (EDSPHCDA) Mrs. Esther Ajayi-David said that the objective and expected outcomes of the forum are to strengthen the State Health Insurance Scheme through improving political commitment and leadership responsibilities for better coordination and improved evidence-based decision-making.
She said it would support resource allocation, release, management, and accountability within the State and LGA health information system.
She added that another objective and outcome expected is to maintain and regularly update a data warehouse.
The peak of the event was the brainstorming session where key challenges were discussed by partners and recommendations made on the way forward.
