The Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) is partnering with the Sydani Group to organise the Local Government Area (LGA)-level Inauguration of the Religious and Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care Delivery.
The event spans five Local Government Areas, specifically Ovia North East LGA on August 7th, 2023; Owan East on August 8th, 2023; Esan North East on August 9th, 2023; Oredo on August 10th, 2023; and concluded in Egor LGA on August 11th, 2023.
Dr. Gideon Iraoyah, the EDSPHCDA Director, Disease Control and Immunization, representing Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen, the Executive Secretary, EDSPHCDA, said the purpose of the event was to inaugurate the Local Government Health Committee in the five LGAs, with the support of the Sydani Group.
He stated that while the State Committee had been formally established on July 22nd in Benin City, the gathering marked a watershed moment in leveraging the influence of traditional and religious leaders to amplify vaccination efforts and reinforce primary healthcare services throughout Edo State.
Dr. Iraoyah appealed to the leaders to collaborate closely with health workers and technical partners in fostering increased community participation in healthcare initiatives.
He further emphasised that the grassroots connection was key to transforming services into solutions, making healthcare not just a service, but a shared journey towards improving the well-being of Edo people.
Extending her commendations to the traditional and religious leaders, Mrs. Irene Uabor, the EDSPHCDA Health Educator, thanked them for their dedication during health campaigns and community activities.
In the same breath, Uabor implored them to do more, given their pivotal roles as the custodians of their respective communities, because Edo people are counting on them.
During the gathering, Dr. Enoma Igundia, the Sydani consultant for Edo State, noted that the committee’s modus operandi encompassed quarterly meetings to strategise and harmonise discussions related to health, with the primary objective of reinforcing community participation.
Dr. Igundia also highlighted the committee’s roles and presented operational guidelines to its members. He outlined meeting times for progress review and unveiled the new quarterly meeting schedule, funded by the Sydani Group.
The event was graced by traditional and religious leaders, medical officers of health, local immunisation officers, and health educators from the five LGAs respectively.
