The Edo State Government has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by strengthening primary healthcare, reaffirming its commitment to increased investment, digital innovation and strategic partnerships.
Governor Monday Okpebholo unveiled the roadmap on Thursday at the Edo SHINE Primary Healthcare Summit 2026 in Benin City. The summit, themed “Strengthening Primary Healthcare Systems to Accelerate Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage and Improved Health Outcomes,” brought together policymakers, health experts, development partners and local government officials to chart the future of healthcare delivery in the state.
Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, the governor described the summit as a call to action, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to building a resilient, people-centred healthcare system that provides quality and affordable healthcare services to every Edo resident.
Okpebholo said primary healthcare remains the foundation of Universal Health Coverage, noting that it serves as the first point of contact for most citizens by providing maternal healthcare, child immunisation, disease prevention, early outbreak detection and other essential health services.
He said the administration had prioritised investments in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, disease surveillance, digital health solutions, quality improvement and data-driven decision-making under its SHINE Agenda.
According to the governor, collaboration with development partners, particularly through the World Bank-supported IMPACT Project, has strengthened healthcare infrastructure, improved service delivery and increased public confidence in Edo’s healthcare system.
Despite the progress, he acknowledged that workforce shortages, financing gaps, infrastructure deficits and increasing healthcare demands remain significant challenges requiring sustained attention and innovative solutions.
Okpebholo called on local governments, traditional and religious institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and communities to work together to ensure that no community is left behind in the state’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage.
Highlighting Edo’s growing recognition for healthcare innovation, the governor noted that Benin City won the one-million-dollar Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge in February 2026 after competing against more than 600 cities worldwide.
He said the award recognised Edo’s innovative healthcare delivery model, which integrates digital health solutions, neighbourhood healthcare kiosks and referral systems to improve access to healthcare and strengthen responses to disease outbreaks, including Lassa fever.
According to him, the initiative demonstrates Edo’s leadership in digital health transformation and offers a model that could be replicated globally.
The governor urged participants to ensure that recommendations from the summit translate into practical actions that strengthen the healthcare system and improve health outcomes across the state.
Speaking in his capacity as Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole described primary healthcare as the backbone of an effective, equitable and resilient health system.
He said strong primary healthcare is critical to disease prevention, health promotion, immunisation, outbreak response and the delivery of quality healthcare services close to communities.
Oshiomhole disclosed that malaria testing and treatment are provided free of charge in all government hospitals across the state, including the Reference Hospital in Abudu.
While commending healthcare workers for their professionalism and dedication, he acknowledged persistent challenges such as workforce shortages, financing constraints, infrastructure deficits and changing disease patterns.
He called for stronger partnerships, greater innovation and sustained investment to improve healthcare delivery.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Coulson Osoikhia, said the summit offered an opportunity to assess progress, identify existing gaps and develop a sustainable pathway towards Universal Health Coverage.
He said the state had recorded significant improvements in healthcare infrastructure, service delivery and public confidence through the World Bank-supported IMPACT Project and collaboration with development partners.
Osoikhia also acknowledged the advocacy efforts of Mrs Edesili Okpebholo in promoting maternal and child health, noting that her initiatives had contributed to increased uptake of routine immunisation across the state.
He urged local governments to assume greater ownership of primary healthcare through increased funding, renovation and maintenance of facilities, construction of new health centres and stronger community engagement.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Andrew Obi described primary healthcare as the cornerstone of Universal Health Coverage, stressing that sustained political commitment, strategic leadership and stronger institutions are essential to achieving quality healthcare for all.
He revealed that Edo’s health budget increased from 4.6 per cent in 2016 to 9.6 per cent in 2025, while health insurance coverage rose from three per cent to 31 per cent over the same period.
Obi added that 61 primary healthcare facilities had been upgraded, BCG immunisation coverage had surpassed 95 per cent and disease surveillance had improved through the deployment of digital technology.
However, he identified inadequate financing, shortages of healthcare workers, infrastructure deficits, limited 24-hour services and population growth as major obstacles to achieving Universal Health Coverage.
He recommended increased domestic healthcare financing, expansion of health insurance coverage, accelerated digital health transformation, stronger community participation and sustained investment in healthcare workers to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Edo State, Mr Sunny Ekpeson, described Universal Health Coverage as a shared responsibility.
He said local governments, as the closest tier of government to the people, are strategically positioned to improve access to primary healthcare, sanitation, immunisation, maternal health services and health education.
Ekpeson pledged the commitment of the state’s 18 local government chairmen to support the renovation and equipping of primary healthcare centres.
He also advocated greater involvement of local governments in recruiting healthcare workers from their communities to improve staff retention, reduce absenteeism and strengthen healthcare delivery, particularly in rural areas.
The summit featured a panel discussion focusing on collaboration, sustainable financing, community participation, improved infrastructure and effective management of primary healthcare facilities.
The event concluded with excellence awards presented to Dr Cyril Oshiomhole and several local government chairmen in recognition of their contributions to strengthening primary healthcare delivery and advancing healthcare development in Edo State.
Source:NAN
