By Edebor Esther
In 2017, the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki stated that his administration would domesticate the National Health Act (NHAct) in order to boost healthcare delivery in the State. It was against this backdrop that the State Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON), organised a workshop at the Secretariat Complex, Block D, for stakeholders to review and validate the National Health Act of 2014.
The event had stakeholders from diverse sectors of the society; including councils of medical practitioners in the State, representatives of religious organisations and heads of associations.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria, appreciated HERFON for its support towards the domestication of the Act, noting that it aligns with the State’s health reforms and will provide legal support for the many initiatives put in place to develop the State’s Health Sector.
In her words, “the Ministry is working with HERFON to guarantee the success of the NHAct in Edo since it is the responsibility of the Government to create legislation that permits health safe practices in the State”
The Commissioner said that the action was appropriate given that the Ministry was actively developing measures aimed at improving the State’s health service delivery. She revealed that the Governor is aware of the public’s health wishes and desires and has put plans in place to systematically address them. Prof Akoria pointed out that the government sees primary health care centres as the cornerstone of quality service delivery, hence the renovations of PHCs to make health facilities accessible to everyone in the State.
Rallying the troops, the Commissioner admonished all stakeholders to carry out assigned duties in order to reduce the total number of persons in need of medical attention in Edo State.
She also urged the public and private medical practitioners in the State to unite and see themselves as one entity in order to support the review process and ensure a comprehensive Act that addresses the urgent needs in the medical practice, which will ultimately impact on the standard of healthcare provided to the Edo residents.
“The Ministry seeks not to exclude any professionals but is aimed at inclusion of all stakeholders to achieve the ultimate goal of excellent medical service delivery in the State.
“The act is for the good of all. Edo is leading on many fronts in this Country. The problem in the health sector in the Country can be solved by using the example of Edo state”. Prof Akoria said.
The Functional Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Stanley Ehiarimwian, seized the opportunity to charge the stakeholders to assist in identifying and fixing the Sector’s lapses.
Dr. Opeyemi Adeosun, the Program Manager of HERFON, commended the Ministry’s dispositions, saying it showed the Ministry’s dedication to raising the standards of health service delivery in the State. He stated that HERFON uses advocacy to bring healthcare changes at the federal and state levels, affirming that Edo is moving in the right direction, though the State’s health reforms still require clear-cut legal backings.
Adeosun added that the domestication of the National Health Act will redesign how standards are defined and regulated for all medical services provided in Edo State.
