It is pertinent to state that deliberations on the progress, challenges, and implementation of recommendations that would better the Basic HealthCare Provision Fund (BHCPF) in Edo State must be given top priority.
Given the foregoing, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Edo State office organized a significant healthcare stakeholders consultative meeting which aimed at achieving significant collaborative efforts in attaining an effective healthcare system in Edo State.
The healthcare stakeholders engagement session was held on Monday, at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
In his welcome address, the convener of the meeting, Amb. Theodore Ehannire, NHIA, Edo State Coordinator, expressed his gratitude to all the stakeholders for their presence and emphasized the significance of synergetic efforts in achieving an enhanced healthcare structure in the state.
Following his open remarks, Dr. Rock Amegor, Director General, EDOHIC, highlighted the importance of the BHCPF in providing accessible and affordable healthcare to the residents of Edo State.
Dr. Amegor further stressed the need for effective utilization of the fund to address the healthcare challenges faced by the Edo State Government.
The NHIA, Edo State Office presented the report from the previous meeting, comprising discussions and decisions made during that session. The report was thoroughly reviewed by the stakeholders and was subsequently adopted as the baseline for further discussions.
Experience sharing was an essential part of the meeting, allowing PHC facility managers, Chairmen of WDCs, and BHCPF enrollees to share their experiences and challenges encountered in the implementation of the program. The session provided valuable insights into the ground-level realities and helped in identifying areas that require improvement.
The meeting also focused on a comparative analysis of the progress made in the implementation of the BHCPF and the challenges encountered in Edo State.
The stakeholders engaged in constructive discussions, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the current system. The analysis served as a foundation for generating innovative recommendations to boost the implementation and impact of the BHCPF in Edo State.
The recommendations centered around areas such as strengthening the capacity of healthcare facilities, improving awareness and enrollment of eligible beneficiaries, heightening monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and addressing operational challenges confronting the stakeholders.
These recommendations were aimed at optimizing the utilization of the BHCPF and ensuring its maximum benefits to the Edo people.
After a comprehensive discussion of the recommendations, the stakeholders collectively agreed on a way forward. Resolutions were made, outlining the specific actions to be taken by each stakeholder to address the challenges and implement the recommendations effectively. These resolutions were intended to serve as a roadmap for future actions and collaborations among the stakeholders.
Ultimately, Ehannire expressed his appreciation to all the participants and assured them that all identified issues would be duly and appropriately related to the appropriate quarters for effective closeout.
The stakeholders consultative meeting was attended by esteemed healthcare practitioners including, Director General, Edo State Health Insurance Commission (EDOHIC), Dr. Rock Amegor; Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen; Director, Community, and Family Health Services Department, EDSPHCDA, Dr. Idemudia Osayomore and Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Owen Omorogbe.
Also present at the forum were NHIA managerial staff members from Headquarters, Abuja, namely, Dr. Hadiza Sulaiman and Hannatu ikharia, both of the Informal Sector Department (ISD).
Other participants include facility managers from Primary HealthCare Centers (PHCs), Chairmen of Ward Development Committees (WDCs), and enrollees of the BHCPF.
