Primary health care refers to the essential health care made accessible to individuals in a community at an affordable cost.
Primary health care is widely regarded as the most inclusive, equitable and cost-effective way to achieve universal health coverage. It is also key to strengthening the resilience of health systems to prepare for respond to and recover from shocks and crises.
As such, Edo state primary health care system has been properly restructured to meet the standard of international best practices, with qualified health workers deployed to various health centers under the close supervision of the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency.
Following the “MEGA” agenda of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s vision of making Edo Great Again, the Edo State Primary Health Care system has witnessed tremendous change since the inception of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration.
In view of MEGA in social wellbeing, a total of twenty (20) Primary health centers have been renovated, and three (3)PHC’s recently refurbished with thirty one(31) upgraded facilities fully equipped to ensure rural dwellers have access to quality healthcare service across the State
As part of improving the primary health care system in the state, the State Government has trained health workers across LGA’s to render quality health care services to Edo State Residents.
The importance of primary health care can not be overemphasized as it forms the vital aspect of a country’s health system while immensely assisting in the socio-economic development of the community.
Research has shown that access to primary health services is linked to better health outcomes.
Howbeit, Primary health care is the first point of contact with health services, it provides a point of entry for the entire health system and Increase access to health services for isolated or deprived population that may not have the means to access these services otherwise.
However, to achieve the desired goal of “MEGA” in the restructuring of health system in the state, Edo State Government has engaged health workers in series of training to fully equip them in the discharge of their duties.
Recently, Edo state government in collaboration with partners trained health workers on quality of care for improving Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, Elderly, Health, Plus Nutrition (RMNCAEH + N) Quality of Care (QoC) in the State.
In same vein, Edo state government In Collaboration with the Challenge Initiatives (TCI) also trained nurses and midwives across the Local Government Primary Health Centers and Secondary Health Facilities on Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive/ Adolescent and Youth Friendly-Heath Services.
While in the cause of the training, participants were taken through series of modules which includes medical eligibility/client assessment Module, infection prevention for long-acting reversible contraceptive method, copper intrauterine device(Copper T 380A) module, postpartum intrauterine device module, post abortion intrauterine device module and contraceptive implants module.
According to one of the instructors at the training which was held on 20th – 24th June 2022 at SOML Conference Hall, Hospital Management Board Complex in Benin City, Dr. Bernard. A, noted while lecturing that the aim of the training was to adequately equip health service providers with the needed technical support for quality health service and to render all range of family planning services accurately.
Dr. Bernard, affirmed that proper approach to rendering quality health services, is to respect client views and not allow personal believe and value to militate against providing the best of services either because of religious or cultural believe.
Meanwhile, various communities in Edo state have so far benefited from the upgraded and restructured health facilities across the state by the Present administration led by His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
