BENIN CITY: Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has assured members of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) of the state government’s commitment to improving the welfare of health workers and strengthening collaboration within the health sector.
Idahosa gave the assurance while receiving members of the State Administrative Council (SAC) of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Edo State Council, led by its Chairman, Comrade Ogbeide Omon Osagie, during a courtesy visit to his office at the Edo State Government House.
The deputy governor, who engaged the union leaders in a cordial exchange, thanked them for the visit and said that it provided an opportunity for the government to deepen cooperation and build stronger synergy with stakeholders in the health sector.
He stressed that healthcare delivery remains a major priority of the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo under its policy framework, the SHINE Agenda.
“If you look at the SHINE Agenda of the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, you will see that the number two item on the agenda is health. It is very important to us,” Idahosa said. “The governor has laid strong emphasis on the health sector, and we have worked together to ensure that the welfare of health workers is improved. There is strong collaboration between the state government and all critical sectors, especially the Ministry of Health.”
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to the sector, Idahosa assured the union that the government would continue to prioritise the welfare of health workers while working closely with them to deliver on its promises.
“The welfare of health workers is paramount to us. We will continue to work closely with you to ensure that what we promised Edo people, particularly in the area of health, is implemented fully,” he said.
He also reiterated the administration’s resolve to fulfil its campaign promises, expressing confidence that Edo residents would soon begin to see the dividends of democracy across the state.
“In no distant time, the people of Edo State will begin to notice the dividends of our democracy,” Idahosa added, stressing that the government would maintain close engagement with stakeholders in the health sector to achieve its development goals.
Earlier in his remarks, the MHWUN chairman, Comrade Ogbeide Omon Osagie, described the union as a strong and influential trade union within the health sector and said the visit also provided an opportunity to appreciate the Edo State Government for improvements recorded in healthcare delivery since Governor Okpebholo assumed office.
He noted that the administration had introduced significant development and positive changes in the sector, particularly through the rebranding of health centres across several local government areas of the state.
According to him, the initiative has led to improvements in infrastructure, buildings and medical equipment in many facilities.
Osagie commended the Okpebholo-led administration for strengthening the state’s healthcare system and implementing strategic policies aimed at improving service delivery. He, however, urged the government to sustain the momentum and give further attention to issues affecting health workers, including the need to work towards a wage increase for workers in the sector.
