Edo government has pledged to improve primary healthcare services across the state to ensure all local governments have access to affordable and quality medical care.

Friday Aghedo, chief press secretary to the deputy governor, Dennis Idahosa, quoted the deputy governor as saying this when he met officials of the Taskforce on Primary Health Centres (PHCs) on Saturday in Benin.

Mr Idahosa said the pledge was in line with Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE (Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and Education) agenda.

“This gathering represents a pivotal step in our collective mission to strengthen the PHC system and improve healthcare outcomes,” Mr Idahosa said.

He reiterated that PHC was the foundation of a functional and sustainable health system.

The deputy governor urged local government chairmen and stakeholders to take active roles in enhancing PHC infrastructure, staff deployment, and resource allocation.

According to him, an efficient PHC system reduces referrals to secondary facilities and ensures timely care.

The task force, operating under the “One Roof” programme, includes representatives from state ministries, all 18 LGAs, faith-based organisations, and development partners such as WHO and UNICEF.

In his remark, commissioner for health, Cyril Oshiomhole, said that the ministry had trained 146 facility managers in digital health data management and distributed 210 laptops and tablets across PHCs to improve monitoring, evaluation, and service delivery.

He said the government’s immediate focus included strengthening immunisation, maternal and child health services, and ensuring the availability of essential medical supplies in all LGAs.

 (NAN)