BENIN CITY- Edo State Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki said his administration will partner the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) to accelerate the implementation of health policies in the state.

He stated this when he received Edo chapter of the association led by its state chairman Dr. Nosa Ehigie who were on a courtesy visit to Government house in Benin City.

Obaseki said his administration was working to domesticate the National Health Act and to have a state health insurance scheme and would be needing the support of the private medical practitioners to accomplish the feat. “I see the health care system as one, where government is a key player. Part of the challenges being faced in the health sector is not carrying the private medical practitioners along in implementation of Health policies. We have started a lot of initiatives in our health care system and we see the private medical practitioners as a pillar in this feat”, he said.

The governor said the state would also be collaborating with the association in the areas of health investment and human capital development.

Earlier, the State Chairman of AGPMPN, commended the governor for the on-going reforms in the state’s health sector.

Ehigie said the association was ready to partner the Edo government in the implementation of its proposed health insurance scheme, immunization activities and to eradicate quackery from the profession in the state.

He however listed lack of access to cheap capital, reduce income due to the present economic situation and security issues as challenges confronting activities of the association in the state.