BY EDWARD OSEGHE
The Edo State health sector has reviewed progress on the implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) with a renewed push to strengthen health insurance and improve access to Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).
The quarterly review meeting of the BHCPF and State Oversight Committee (SOC) was held at the Ministry of Health Conference Room in Benin City.
It was chaired by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, who restated the government’s commitment to expanding coverage and improving service delivery.
Dr. Oshiomhole said that the review was aimed at assessing progress, tackling persistent challenges, and designing strategies to boost the utilization of PHCs across the state.
The Executive Secretary of the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Dr. Coulson Oahimire Osoikhia, described the review as critical to fixing lapses in the health insurance framework.
He noted challenges including inadequate staffing, limited training for healthcare personnel, underutilization of PHCs, and unreported home deliveries by traditional birth attendants.
The BHCPF and SOC Desk Officer, Mrs. Cynthia Amayo, explained that financial protection for the poor and vulnerable is being delivered through health insurance enrolment and services at PHCs.
She commended both the Federal and State Governments for sustaining free healthcare for children under five, pregnant women, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups, while praising the SOC for ensuring that the benefits reach deprived communities.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the EDSPHCDA, Ministry of Health, Edo State Health Insurance Commission, and the National Health Insurance Authority.
