On Monday, September 9th, 2024, the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), in partnership with The Carter Center (TCC), successfully handed over 10 motorbikes to Field Supervisors in 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Edo State. This initiative was aimed at improving the supervision and monitoring of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) activities across the state.
The 10 beneficiary LGAs include Akoko Edo, Owan East, Owan West, Ovia South West, Ovia North East, Etsako West, Esan Central, Esan South East, Esan West, and Uhunmwonde.
The handover ceremony took place at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), where Hon. Dr. Richard Edosa, Chairman, House Committee on Health, Edo State House of Assembly officially launched the motorbikes and facilitated their distribution to the Field NTD Supervisors.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary, EDSPHCDA, Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen, represented by Dr. Osayomore Idemudia, Director, Community and Family Health Services EDSPHCDA, expressed deep appreciation for the continuous support from The Carter Center. He emphasized that their partnership has played a significant role in improving health outcomes in Edo State through enhanced NTD control efforts.
Dr. Emmanuel Emukah, Edo/Delta Coordinator Carter Centre, stated that the essence of providing motorbikes to the 10 LGAs was to support supervision and monitoring in the LGAs where progress in eliminating NTDs has been slow. He also encouraged State and LGA NTD officers to intensify their efforts in the field, using this initiative as motivation to continue the critical work of disease elimination.
Mr. Christopher Odueze, the South-South Zonal NTD Coordinator from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), commended the Field Supervisors for their dedication and reminded them that the reward for hard work is more work. He appealed to NTD stakeholders to continue supporting field officers in their mission to eradicate these diseases from the state.
Mrs. Happy Poko, the State NTD Coordinator, shed light on the challenges faced in tackling NTDs in Edo State. She noted that these diseases are prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, where poverty, poor sanitation, and hygiene create environments conducive to their spread.
Several beneficiaries of the motorbike donations expressed their gratitude to the Government as well as the Carter Center, noting that the motorbikes would help improve their ability to oversee NTD activities and increase coverage in their respective LGAs.
The event was attended by a wide range of key stakeholders, including some Local Government Chairmen, Permanent Secretaries from relevant ministries, EDSPHCDA Directors, State Integrated Health Teams (SIHTs), Medical Officers of Health, LGA NTD Coordinators, and community leaders from the 10 beneficiary LGAs.
Representatives from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), World Health Organization (WHO) and The Carter Center were also present at the event.
Representatives from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), World Health Organization (WHO) and The Carter Center were also present at the event.
