From September 30th to October 4th, 2024, the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) hosted the Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge Health Retreat at Limoh Hotel and Suites, Benin City. This important event was supported by the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).
The retreat aimed to improve a culture of positive behavior change in healthcare delivery within the primary healthcare sector in Edo State while reinforcing a sense of ownership of programs and services to drive effective results. Key activities during the retreat included reviewing the 2025 Annual Operational Plan (AOP) development at the Local Government Area (LGA) and facility. Participants were trained to effectively fill out essential templates and present reports on health programs spanning the period from January to October (Present). These reports spanned crucial areas such as immunization, nutrition, maternal and child health, reproductive health, and other critical health services. The review provided a platform to harmonize progress, address challenges, and propose actionable solutions moving forward.
Another crucial aspect of the retreat was a mandatory leadership course for Medical Officers of Health (MOH)and Directors of Nursing Services (DNS). This course was important to equip them with leadership skills to support their roles in the primary healthcare system. During the retreat, the Executive Secretary, EDSPHCDA, Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen, expressed his gratitude to all attendees and emphasized the need to strengthen the primary healthcare system in Edo State. He highlighted the importance of rebranding primary healthcare services, noting that while the buildings are called “Neighborhood Clinics,” they offer comprehensive primary healthcare services. Dr. Izedonmwen explained that shifting public perception from viewing these services as primarily for the underprivileged is important, a task already underway through the Government’s rebranding efforts.
Throughout the retreat, the Acting Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Mrs. Esther Ajayi-David and her team, played a key role in moderating the training sessions. She provided technical support and guided participants in data template population and proper reporting techniques.
Seasoned Facilitators from NPHCDA, EDSPHCDA, EDO DIDA, EDOHIC, Edo State Ministry of Health led various training sessions. Topics ranged from Data Reporting and Sustainability, Quality Health Service Delivery, Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), Health Insurance, and the Role of Stakeholders in Improving Primary Healthcare among several other lectures. A key session led by the Ministry of Health focused on developing a sector-wide approach (SWAP) to streamline healthcare processes, ensuring that all programs operate under a unified plan and budget to reduce waste and eliminate duplication.
Presentations were also made by EDSPHCDA staff from the Local Government Clinics, who shared the challenges they face and proposed innovative solutions for improving primary healthcare delivery were discussed by participant, partners and facilitators.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Agency’s key document such as the minimum service package, operational guidelines and policies as well as the Patient’s temporary health card.
Dr. Izedonmwen also reiterated the Agency’s core values such as integrity, accountability, equity, professionalism, and collaboration. He urged staff to embrace these values and emphasized the importance of discipline, ethics, and structure within the healthcare system. He encouraged staff to rise to the challenge, stating, “We must pick ourselves up by our bootstraps and rise together.”
Finally, the materials were distributed to Medical Officers of Health across the 18 LGAs in Edo State. In attendance during the retreat were stakeholders from the healthcare sector, including Medical Officers of Health, Directors of Nursing Services, selected Program Officers, Health Educators, EDSPHCDA Directors and Heads of Unit, EDSPHCDA Consultants, EDSPHCDA Staff, representatives from the Edo State Ministry of Health’s Planning, Research, and Statistics Department. Edo State Health Insurance Commission (EDOHIC), Edo DIDA
Also the technical partners were strongly represented at the event and gave their technical support to the program, including representatives from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), AFENET, JSI USAID M-RITE, JSI HAPPI, UNICEF, WHO.
