The Edo State Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project, under the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), organized a State Stakeholders’ Meeting at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) on Friday, the 20th of December 2024.
The meeting was led by the Edo State Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole in collaboration with the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) headed by the Project Manager, Dr. Idemudia Osayomore. Drawing a diverse audience, the meeting was attended by the Acting Executive Secretary EDSPHCDA, Mr. Sunday Osayande; representatives of MDAs; community-based organizations, associations, unions, development partners, academia, private school associations, labour unions, traditional rulers, ward development committees (WDCs) as well as religious leaders.
The meeting aimed to brief stakeholders on the (IMPACT project); an initiative led by the Federal Government through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) with support from the World Bank. The project is designed to strengthen primary healthcare service delivery across Nigeria. It’s focus is on improving essential health services (RMNCHAE + N), including malaria control, especially in underserved and rural areas where access to vital health services is limited.
Highlighting State priorities, the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole emphasized the commitment of his Excellency, Governor Monday Okphebholo’s led administration to provide a robust health infrastructure and high-quality services for Edo people. He added that leveraging the IMPACT project, the state also aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improve the overall well-being of its residents.
Expanding on project goals, the Project Manager, Dr. Idemudia Osayomore explained how the project seeks to transform service delivery. He highlighted plans to upgrade infrastructure, enhance digital healthcare capabilities, provide quality health data, and ensure adequate staffing. In his words, “These measures are designed to create a quality and sustainable healthcare system for Edo people. “Focusing on infrastructure, he stated that the facilities were carefully selected from a pool of 146 identified through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
Dr Osayomore also stressed the integral role of community involvement in the IMPACT project, as discussions focused on stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities in ensuring the project’s successful implementation in the State.
During the meeting, the efforts of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) Edo State team were highly acknowledged. Their dedication, coupled with the State Government’s political will, has been instrumental in driving the IMPACT project on the right path, which will lead to the delivery of set goals in 2025.
The high point of the stakeholders’ meeting was the presentation of ultrasound scan machines to the medical officers of health in all 18 local government health authorities. This gesture marked an important step in strengthening the diagnostic capabilities of primary healthcare in Edo State.
