In Edo State, the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project has brought about a significant transformation in primary healthcare services. Birth by the Federal Government through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), with support from the World Bank, this project aims to strengthen healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and underserved areas, where access to essential health services is limited.
Through this initiative, the Edo State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State Mr. Monday Okphebholo has shown a strong commitment to improving the health and well-being of the people, and the results are already visible in the improved services at the grassroots level thanks to the Government’s partnership with the World Bank which funds the IMPACT Project.
In telling the story of the IMPACT Project in Edo State, it is important to highlight that the goal of the IMPACT Project is to improve the quality and accessibility of immunization, child, neonatal, and maternal health services, as well as malaria control.
While speaking during an interview in his office at 28 Ezoti Street, off Airport Road on the 14th of May, 2025, Dr. Idemudia Osayomore, the IMPACT Project Manager for Edo State explained that the project is focused on transforming healthcare service delivery. In his words, “The IMPACT Project in Edo is changing the narrative in primary healthcare delivery, thanks to the immense support of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Monday Okphebholo, the Honorable Commissioner for Health Edo State, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, the Steering Commitee on IMPACT PROJECT Edo as well as the Project implementation Unit (PIU). We are working to upgrade infrastructure, improve digital healthcare capabilities, improve the quality of health data and guarantee that our primary healthcare facilities have adequate staff as well as essential drugs.” According to Dr Idemudia, these efforts, are designed to create a sustainable and efficient healthcare system for the people of Edo State.
In discussing some of the achievements of the IMPACT Project in Edo State, Dr. Osayomore highlighted how modern equipment such as ultrasound machines was delivered to all Medical Officers of Health across the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Training sessions were held for staff to ensure proper usage, and regular monitoring is currently ongoing to ensure the machines are being used to support healthcare delivery.
Additionally, laptops and iPads were provided to all the 18 LGAs for data capture during a three-day digitalization training session on the District Health Information System (DHIS) on 20th-23rd January, 2025. This training, funded by the World Bank, equipped health workers with the necessary skills to manage health data effectively, supporting decision-making at Local, State, and Federal Levels.
To support the project operations an 18-seater bus and a Hilux were donated by the World Bank. These vehicles were commissioned by His Excellency, Governor Monday Okphebholo, who was ably represented by the Chief of Staff Edo State, Mr. Gani Audu on the 20th of January 2025 at John Odigie Oyegun, Public Service Academy (JOOPSA). Needless to say that these vehicles have been instrumental in aiding the monitoring of activities ongoing at the facilities.
In March 2025, the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health (SMoH) carried out an Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) program for the IMPACT Project. The three-week supervision aimed to monitor key health indicators and ensure that quality healthcare services were being provided. The supervision focused on reducing under-five mortality and maternal mortality by tracking services such as antenatal registration, malaria prevention treatment for pregnant women, postnatal care, child immunization, and the availability of essential malaria treatment.
In April, 2025, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Edo State, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole alongside Dr. Osayomore and team visited some healthcare facilities under reconstruction in Amufi, Iwogban, Egor, and Useh PHCs. The inspection was a critical step in ensuring that the facilities met the required standards and were ready to provide high-quality healthcare to the people of Edo State.
It is important to note that over 61 PHCs across Edo State are under renovation under the IMPACT PROJECT as at May 2025 with close supervision to ensure high-quality results. You will agree that the IMPACT Project is a game-changer for primary healthcare delivery in Edo State.
To ensure availability of essential medical supplies, funds have also been allocated to all IMPACT-supported facilities for the purchase of essential medicines and consumables, helping to prevent stockouts and maintain smooth healthcare delivery.
So far, 192 skilled birth attendants (SBAs) including midwives, registered midwives, and junior community health extension workers (JCHEWs) have been deployed across IMPACT-supported facilities across Edo State. These SBAs help facility managers handle safe deliveries and improve maternal care.
From May 5th to 8th, 2025, the Implementation Status Result Report (ISR) Team from the World Bank visited Benin City to support and monitor the implementation of the IMPACT Project in Edo State. The team was led by Professor Odunuga, the Environment and Social Management Plan (ESMP) Specialist, and Mrs. Lulu Pwanedo, both representing the World Bank. They were accompanied by Dr. Idemudia Osayomore, the IMPACT Project Manager, Edo State throughout the visit.
The purpose of their visit was to monitor the ongoing renovation and revitalization work at Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities, as well as to assess the implementation of the Environmental Safety and Mitigation Plan among other things. During their visit, the team reviewed data at the facilities and held interviews with the Medical Officer in charge of the facility to learn more about service utilization at the facilities.
As part of their visit, the team paid a courtesy visit to the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, who was represented by Dr. Stanley Ehiarimwian. They explained the aim of their visit, which was to Monitor the implementation of the IMPACT PROJECT in Edo State. After the meeting, the team visited several PHC facilities, including Oghede, Iwogban, Ugbogiobo and Ugbekun PHC to inspect the ongoing projects and see the progress being made.
The story of IMPACT Project in Edo State cannot be complete without recognising the efforts of His Excellency, the Executive of Edo State, Mr. Monday Okphebholo, the Honourable Commissioner for Health Edo State, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, the members of the Steering Commitee on IMPACT PROJECT Edo as well as the members of the Project Implementation (PIU) led by the IMPACT Project Manager Edo State, Dr. Idemudia Osayomore.
