The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has congratulated the Edo State Government and the management of Edo Specialist Hospital on its seventh anniversary, describing the hospital’s accreditation as a Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) Facility as a significant milestone in strengthening maternal and newborn healthcare and advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.
The commendation was conveyed by the Edo State Coordinator of the NHIA, Dr. Theodore Osas Ehannire, who represented the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, at the grand finale of the hospital’s week-long anniversary celebration held on Friday, July 24, in Benin City.
In his goodwill message, Ohiri congratulated Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, and the hospital’s Chief Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. (Mrs.) Anthonia Inibokun Njoku, for their commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the state.
He noted that the anniversary was not only a celebration of seven years of specialist healthcare services but also a reflection of the collective efforts of government, healthcare professionals and development partners in expanding access to affordable, quality healthcare through strategic collaboration.
According to him, the NHIA remains committed to working with Edo State to ensure that every resident has access to quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship.
He disclosed that national health insurance enrolment rose from 16 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 22 million by the second quarter of 2026. He added that over 2.5 million Nigerians are currently covered under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), while more than 60,000 beneficiaries have received support through special intervention programmes, including the Fistula Free Programme and the Financing Access to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) Programme.
“The accreditation of Edo Specialist Hospital under the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care Programme represents another important step towards reducing maternal and newborn mortality and accelerating the attainment of Universal Health Coverage, particularly in Edo State,” he said.
Ohiri urged the Edo State Government, the Edo State Health Insurance Commission and the hospital’s management to sustain efforts aimed at expanding health insurance coverage and ensuring prudent implementation of NHIA intervention programmes to further improve healthcare outcomes.
In her address, the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Anthonia Inibokun Njoku, described the anniversary as a celebration of vision, resilience, partnership and service, reflecting on the hospital’s steady growth since it commenced clinical operations in 2019 as Edo State’s flagship multi-specialist tertiary healthcare institution.
Speaking on the theme, “Seven Years of Excellence: Celebrating the Past, Transforming the Present, Inspiring the Future,” she said the hospital has continued to witness remarkable progress under the administration of Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo.
She commended the governor for sustained investments that have strengthened the hospital through improved infrastructure, acquisition of critical medical equipment, enhanced power supply, provision of over 200 air-conditioning units and recovery of adjoining land for future expansion, describing the interventions as practical demonstrations of the administration’s commitment to quality healthcare under the SHINE Agenda.
The CMD also praised the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, for providing strategic leadership and policy direction that have supported institutional reforms, improved service delivery and accelerated the state’s healthcare transformation agenda.
She further acknowledged the support of the Deputy Governor, members of the Edo State Executive Council, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Andrew Yamu, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Princess Edesili Okpebholo Anani, development partners and several collaborating health institutions for their contributions to healthcare delivery, medical education and research.
Highlighting recent milestones, Dr. Njoku said the hospital has strengthened specialist healthcare delivery through expanded clinical services, enhanced infrastructure and equipment, increased manpower, residency training programmes and postgraduate accreditation. She announced that the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has secured full accreditation from both the West African College of Surgeons and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, while the hospital also inaugurated its In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Centre and Premium and Wellness Services to broaden access to advanced reproductive and specialist healthcare.
She also disclosed that the NHIA Unit is being established within the hospital to enhance health insurance services and commended the Authority for facilitating the hospital’s onboarding and accreditation as a CEmONC facility.
According to her, the anniversary activities reflected the hospital’s commitment to community service through free medical and surgical outreaches, specialist interventions, correctional centre medical services, public health education campaigns and staff engagement programmes.
Reaffirming the institution’s vision, Dr. Njoku said Edo Specialist Hospital remains committed to becoming one of West Africa’s leading centres of excellence in specialist clinical care, postgraduate medical education, research, innovation and compassionate patient care.
The grand finale featured the presentation of awards to individuals whose contributions have shaped the hospital’s growth and development.
Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo received a special honour in recognition of his administration’s sustained investments in healthcare infrastructure, specialist services and institutional development, which the hospital said have further strengthened its position as one of Nigeria’s leading referral and specialist healthcare facilities.
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Comrade Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, was presented with the Foundation Pillar Award in recognition of his vision and leadership in conceiving, establishing and laying the foundation for Edo Specialist Hospital, which has grown into Edo State’s flagship multi-specialist tertiary healthcare institution serving patients from within and outside the state.
