The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his government in the last seven years, revolutionized the State’s healthcare system, placing the State among top five in terms of healthcare provision, life expectancy, and other key indicators in Nigeria’s healthcare space.
The governor, who spoke to journalists in Benin City, noted that the reform of the healthcare sector in the State is taking firm footing, as the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme now has over 200,000 subscribers.
Noting that the government is decentralizing the State’s healthcare system, Obaseki said his administration is strengthening the primary healthcare system which is to be supported by secondary, tertiary and specialist hospitals to provide comprehensive healthcare across the three senatorial districts of the State.
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The governor said, “We have almost 50 primary healthcare centres that have been revamped and upgraded to world-class standards but it is not just about the centres. What we have done in the healthcare system that is revolutionary is healthcare financing. Why do people not go to clinics or hospitals? It is because they are afraid of the payment.
“But we have eliminated that and have come up with the Edo health insurance Scheme which is now compulsory. This means once you have registered, you can walk into any registered centres, either public or private to get healthcare. That is revolutionary.”
According to him, “Today, Edo ranks among the top five States in terms of healthcare provision, life expectancy, and other key indicators in the country’s healthcare space.”
On plans for Edo’s healthcare system in 2024, Obaseki noted, “We have set aside about 10% of the budget to address the needs in the health sector. This includes funds for the completion of the In-Patient Department as well as the Accident and Emergency Wards of the Stella Obasanjo Hospital. This will also cover more work across the Primary Healthcare Centres across the State.
“We are also making statutory payments for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and our own Edo State Health Insurance Scheme, which provides necessary impetus to attract more private sector providers into the State and also cut out-of-pocket spending for health services.”