…As UNICEF pledges partnership
From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, said mechinaries have been put in place to improve the healthcare system for the wellbeing of the residents of the state.
He disclosed this during the 2025 Health Sector Joint Annual Review Dissemination Meeting organized by the ministry of health, aimed at assessing progress made in the health sector and planning for improved services.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders including the Honourable Commissioner for Health, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, members of the State House of Assembly, development partners, and health experts.
Dr. Oshiomhole, described the meeting as a sign of the government’s continued commitment to transparency and progress in the healthcare sector in the state.
He explained that the review was a time to reflect on past efforts, identify gaps, and plan concrete steps toward strengthening the health system in the state.
He also restated the commitment of the Governor to building a better and more responsive healthcare system for all residents of Edo State.
The Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Dr. Richard Edosa, spoke on the achievements made so far in the health sector and highlighted the steps being taken to improve service delivery and ensure better health outcomes across the state.
The representative of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr. Theodore Ehanire, expressed their readiness to support the Edo State Government wherever possible.
He emphasized that their agency is willing to work closely with all stakeholders to increase access to affordable healthcare services, especially for the most vulnerable groups.
Programme Manager for UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Mr. Mohammed Okorie, also shared his thoughts during the meeting.
He said UNICEF is proud to be a partner of the Edo State Government in its efforts to improve the health of the people.
He assured that UNICEF will continue to support initiatives that aim to make Edo State a leading example of good health practices in the country.
Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Edo State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Loretta Iruobe, gave an overview of the two-day Sector Joint Annual Review process.
She explained that the main objectives were to assess the state’s health sector performance across key indicators, identify gaps, and highlight areas for improvement.
Also speaking at the event, the State Health Management Information System Officer, Mrs. Cynthia Amayo, addressed challenges faced in data reporting, performance monitoring, and evaluation.
She shared ideas on how to improve these processes for better decision-making and planning.
The meeting ended with a renewed sense of unity among stakeholders and a shared goal of building a healthier Edo State through collaboration, accountability, and well-planned strategies.