BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Edo State Government has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with AIG-Imoukhuede Foundation and Private Health Sector Alliance of Nigeria to revitalize Primary Health Centers in the state.
The tripartite Agreement was for the revitalization and provision of technical support for selected 18 Primary healthcare centers in the state.
The Vice Chairman Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Mrs. Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede said the signing of the Agreement signified the sheer commitment by all the parties to ensure improved healthcare outcomes for Edo State.
She further said: “So there is no disputing the fact that our country’s health system is frost with many challenges including poor health infrastructure, shortage of manpower and weak system.
“Research shows that 85 percent of primary healthcare centres in the country constitute all the clinics and hospitals only 20 of them are functioning and it is evident that there is a huge gap and it is also evident that the people in the grassroots are in desperate need of intervention.
“It is clear that the government cannot do it all, PPP is the way forward.
“We are adopting a total of 23 Primary Healthcare Centres in Nigeria, 18 of which are in Edo State, and the first one is going to be in Sabogida-Ora which is our home here in Edo State”, Mrs. Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede stated.”
Also, the MD/CEO, Private Health Sector Alliance of Nigeria, PHSAN, Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe said the essence of the Agreement was to address specific healthcare challenges in Edo State.
“The Adopt-A- Healthcare Facility Programme (ADHFP) is a strategic initiative aimed at revitalizing and establishing standard Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) across Nigeria. In the context of Edo State, the program focuses on the vital objective of refurbishing PHCs to address specific healthcare challenges in the state.
“The ADHFP aims to create a tangible, positive impact, acknowledging the unique needs of Edo State by enhancing infrastructure, resources, and capabilities at the grassroots level.
“18 Primary Healthcare Centres were carefully selected based on criteria such as the availability of Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, water and power supply, medical staff presence, and building conditions among others.
“The initial stage PHCs for revitalization include Atoruru PHC in Sabongida-Ora, Evbuodia PHC in Oredo, Uteh PHC in Iwogban, and Idunmungha PHC in Uhunmwode. These PHCs were chosen based on compliance with outlined criteria, ensuring that adopted facilities align with the program’s mission of providing support to those in dire need”, Dr. Tinuola explained.
The Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie, Esq, expressed confidence that the initiative and Agreement would impact significantly on primary healthcare system in Edo State.
He enjoined the foundations to visit the Edo State School of Health Technology with a view to helping in training manpower.
“I am happy that our brother decided to start from his home, charity begins at home.
“To find a foundation ready to assist government put the health centres to use is what all of us is excited about”, the SSG stated.
Osarodion Ogie, Esq, signed for the state government while the Vice Chairman of AIG-Imoukhuede Foundation, Mrs. Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, and MD/CEO, PHSAN, Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe, also endorsed, respectively.
The ceremony held at the SSG conference hall, State house, Benin City about 11am today, was witnessed by some other functionaries of both parties.
