The Edo State Government has unveiled a roadmap to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by strengthening primary healthcare (PHC), reaffirming its commitment to increased investment, digital innovation, and partnerships.
Governor Monday Okpebholo unveiled the roadmap on Thursday at the Edo SHINE Primary Healthcare Summit 2026 in Benin City.
The summit was themed “Strengthening Primary Healthcare Systems to Accelerate Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage and Improved Health Outcomes.”
Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, the governor described the summit as a call to action.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a resilient, people-centred healthcare system that delivers quality, affordable healthcare services to all Edo residents.
Okpebholo said primary healthcare is the foundation of Universal Health Coverage, serving as the first point of contact for most citizens. It provides maternal care, child immunisation, disease prevention, early outbreak detection, and other essential health services.
The governor noted that his administration has prioritised investment in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, disease surveillance, digital health solutions, quality improvement, and data-driven decision-making under the SHINE Agenda.
He highlighted that collaboration with development partners, especially through the World Bank-supported IMPACT Project, has strengthened healthcare infrastructure, improved service delivery, and boosted public confidence in the state’s health system.
However, Okpebholo acknowledged that workforce shortages, financing gaps, infrastructure deficits, and rising healthcare demands require sustained attention and innovative solutions.
He urged local governments, traditional and religious institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector, and communities to work together to ensure no one is left behind in the drive towards Universal Health Coverage.
The governor also highlighted Edo’s growing global recognition in healthcare innovation. Benin City won the $1 million 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 combines digital health solutions, neighbourhood healthcare kiosks, and referral systems to improve access to care and strengthen responses to disease outbreaks, including Lassa fever.
Okpebholo urged participants to translate the summit’s resolutions into practical actions that will strengthen the healthcare system and improve health outcomes.
Speaking in his capacity as Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oshiomhole said primary healthcare remains the backbone of an effective, equitable, and resilient health system. He noted that strong PHC is critical for disease prevention, health promotion, immunisation, outbreak response, and delivering quality services close to communities.
Oshiomhole disclosed that malaria testing and treatment are provided free in all government hospitals across the state, including the Reference Hospital in Abudu.
He commended healthcare workers for their professionalism and dedication but acknowledged ongoing challenges such as workforce shortages, financing constraints, infrastructure deficits, and changing disease patterns.
The commissioner called for stronger partnerships, 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 provided an opportunity to review progress, identify gaps, and chart a sustainable path towards Universal Health Coverage.
He noted improvements in healthcare infrastructure, service delivery, and public confidence through the World Bank-supported IMPACT Project and other partnerships.
Osoikhia also acknowledged Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo’s advocacy for maternal and child health, which has contributed to increased uptake of routine immunisation across the state.
He urged local governments to take greater ownership of primary healthcare through improved funding, facility maintenance, renovation, upgrades, construction of new centres, and community engagement.
In his keynote address, Prof. Andrew Obi said primary healthcare remains the cornerstone of Universal Health Coverage. He emphasised that sustained political commitment, strategic leadership, and stronger institutions are critical to achieving quality healthcare for all.
Obi revealed that Edo’s health budget increased from 4.6% in 2016 to 9.6% in 2025, while health insurance coverage rose from 3% to 31% over the same period. He added that 61 primary healthcare facilities have been upgraded, BCG immunisation coverage exceeds 95%, and disease surveillance has improved through digital technology.
He identified inadequate financing, shortage of healthcare workers, infrastructure deficits, limited 24-hour services, and population growth as major challenges.
Obi recommended increased domestic health financing, expansion of health insurance, accelerated digital health transformation, stronger community participation, and sustained investment in healthcare workers to achieve UHC by 2030.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Edo, Mr. Sunny Ekpeson, described Universal Health Coverage as a shared responsibility. He noted that local governments are strategically positioned to improve access to primary healthcare, sanitation, immunisation, maternal health services, and health education.
Ekpeson pledged that the state’s 18 local government chairmen would support the renovation and equipping of primary healthcare centres. He also advocated for greater involvement of local governments in recruiting healthcare workers from their communities to improve staff retention and strengthen rural healthcare delivery.
The summit featured a panel discussion on strengthening primary healthcare through collaboration, sustainable financing, community participation, improved infrastructure, and effective management of health facilities.
Excellence awards were presented to Dr. Oshiomhole and some local government chairmen for their contributions to primary healthcare delivery and healthcare development in Edo State.
