In line with the Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki’s policy drive towards quality health delivery system in the State, the coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Edo State under the implementation organisation, Health Reform Foundation (HERFON) recently held a pally with the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria on the revalidation and domestication of the National Health Act 2014, in Edo State.
Recalled that the then President Goodluck Jonathan had in 2014 passed the National Health Act into Laws, following which Governor Obaseki in 2019 assured the people of Edo State that his administration would ensure the domestication of the Act under its donor European Union Act (Eu-ACT) in the State.
Speaking at the meeting with the HERFON, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria declared that the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki never minced words in his drive towards delivering quality health service to the good people of Edo State as evident in the Health Reform system across the State.
While noting that the present government was mindful of the aspirations of the people, Akoria disclosed that the State government has set about 70% health standard in the informer Sector with the Edo State Insurance gatekeeper, all geared towards ensuring a situation where Edo People will have access to quality health care services and where every citizen is expected to be an ambassador of health care delivery.
She stated that the State government was currently ensuring health care regulations in manner that will better the lives of the people as it will no longer be business as usual.
Describing the CSOs as stake holders in the pursuit of quality health care delivery in the state, the Commissioner however acknowledged HERFON’s Commitment towards ensuring the domestication of the National Health Act in the State.
The Chairman, Health Reform Foundation (HERFON), Edo State chapter, Uwaifo James, described the meeting as apt as it afforded participants basic areas of commitments towards ensuring the domestication of the National Health Act in the State.
He said HERFON as an organization had been working assiduously towards the implementation of the health insurance system in the State.
“We are going to task ourselves on how we can work assiduously on the road map towards the domestication of the National Health Act in Edo State” the HERFON chairman noted
On the review of the National Health Act 2014, HERFON programme Manager, Opeyemi Adeosun highlighted the Framework, provisions and benefits of the Act if implemented in the State.
While noting that the Act provides a framework for the regulation, development and management of a good health care system as well as Sets Standard for rendering health Services in the State, Adeosun Stated that the Act when domesticated will ensure availability of quality health, essential drugs, medical commodities, hygienic food/water as well as entitled basic minimum health packages for Edo Citizens.
The meeting was graced by various professional bodies/religious leaders including the Nigeria Medical Association, pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Coalition of Civil Societies, Chief Imam of Benin Central Mosque, Mallam Fatai Enabulele amongst others.
