As part of the Presidential commitment to improve healthcare, the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Program (NHSRIP) is working on revitalizing Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) across the country. The goal is to have at least one Level-2 functional PHC facility in each ward, with 2,700 facilities currently under construction nationwide.
In line with this, on the 2nd of June, 2025 there was a State entry meeting where a team of Supervisors from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), and the Program Implementation Unit (PIU) IMPACT PROJECT led by the Acting Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Mr. Sunday Osayande, visited the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, at his office in the Ministry of Health, Secretariat Complex, Edo State.
The Hon Commissioner was intimated that the purpose of the visit was to inspect the ongoing PHC revitalization projects, ensuring they meet the NPHCDA’s standards for Level-2 functionality, as well as assess the adherence to the approved Bill of Quantities (BoQ) during the PHC revitalization exercise. This was with a focus on compliance of specified quantities and quality standards and also to address any issues that might delay the completion of the facilities.
The Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole welcomed the National and State team and expressed interest in receiving a full briefing after the supervision was completed.
During the meeting, Dr. Idemudia Osayomore, the IMPACT Project Manager for Edo State, thanked the Governor, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his strong support for the facility upgrade project. He said that under the Governor’s leadership, healthcare in the state has improved. Facilities are being upgraded in the State, Skilled Birth Attendant (SBAs) and Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) have been recruited as adhocs to help strengthen the medical staff. Free Malaria treatment is provided at all health facilities, free normal delivery, immunization and family planning in all Basic Health Care Provision Fund Facilities across the State. This progress is part of the SHINE Agenda (Security, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Food Sufficiency, and Education) of His Excellency, where health is one of the key priorities.
Dr Idemudia explained that the revitalization project is a partnership between the Federal and State Government with support from the World Bank to improve primary healthcare services. He stressed that the goal is to ensure that each ward in Edo State has at least one fully functional Level-2 primary healthcare centre. These facilities will include important components such as hospital wards, staff quarters, perimeter fencing, a borehole, and other essential services to meet community healthcare needs.
He further shared that 61 PHC facilities in Edo State are currently being revitalized under the IMPACT Project, with an additional two facilities under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF). These efforts are aimed at improving healthcare access for the people of Edo State.
Mr. Peter Osikwemhe, representing the NPHCDA team, explained that the team’s role was to identify and address challenges related to quality concerns, deviations from the approved BoQ, and delays in the project’s implementation. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the service provision, contingency plan, environmental and social safeguard management plan, and redress mechanisms were being followed.
Mr. Chia Tertsegha from the Federal Ministry of Health spoke about the Ministry’s role in providing funding through the BHCPF and overseeing the implementation of the IMPACT and BHCPF projects. He stressed that the Ministry ensures the projects meet national standards and supports data collection for future health policy development.
After the meeting, the team visited several PHC facilities under construction in Edo State, including in Iwogban PHC, Amufi PHC (Ikpoba Okha LGA), Ugbogiobo PHC, and OkokhuoPHC (Ovia North East LGA), Ehor PHC (Uhunwonde LGA) in the Edo South Senatorial District. On June 3rd, 2025, they continued their visits to other facilities, such as the Referral Medical Center in Afuze (Owan East LGA), Uhonmora PHC (Owan West LGA), Urban PHC in Auchi (Etsako West LGA), Imeagba PHC (Etsako East LGA) in Edo North Senatorial District. Ugboha (Esan South East LGA), Iruekpen PHC (Esan West LGA), Opoji PHC (Esan Central LGA), and Obiyon PHC (Esan North East) in Edo Central Senatorial District.
Throughout the site visits, Dr. Osahon, the Project Consultant Engineer provided valuable details about the construction work to the team. He also stated the importance of building structurally sound PHC facilities that can effectively serve the health needs of Edo State’s population. With the revitalization work progressing, it is expected that most of the sites will be completed and ready for commissioning by the end of June.
The supervision team also included key personnel from EDSPHCDA, such as Dr. Efeomon Eseigbe (Director, Disease Control and Immunization), Mrs. Esther Ajayi-David (Monitoring and Evaluation Officer), Mrs. Nene Olaye (Head of Public Relations Unit), Mr. Ugochukwu Anyasor (BHCPF Focal Person), Mrs. Theodora Omowoma (BHCPF Focal Person), Miss Osedebamen Ifada, the TA to the IMPACT Project Manager in Edo State also representing NPHCDA, Mr. Jerry Osawe, Zonal Technical Officer NPHCDA, Edo State.
