The Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen, has said the state government has earmarked 55 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state’s 18 local government areas for upgrade.
Izedonmwen said the renovation work in the 55 PHCs is part of reforms to strengthen the delivery of affordable and quality healthcare in rural areas.
He noted that as part of the Primary Health Care Reform Project aimed at transforming the primary healthcare system in the state, the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency embarked on a tour of PHCs across the three senatorial districts.
According to him, the on-site assessment of the 55 PHCs was carried out in collaboration with HDIT Integrated Service Limited, adding that the team of assessors was made up of public health experts alongside staff of the agency, Edo State Civil Engineers and HDIT Engineers.
He said the assessment was carried out to determine the state of the healthcare services provided at the facilities, evidence of implementation of the national healthcare standards, infrastructure needs and safety standards.
The Executive Secretary said the state government is determined to improve the infrastructure and equipment at the health facilities, provision of essential drugs, capacity-building, adequate staffing, maximizing greater utilization of e-clat and digital transformation; strengthening governance and accountability as well as involvement of the community in healthcare are all hallmarks of the proposed reform project.