Revitalisation of 18 PHCs: Edo Signs MOU with Aigbojie Aig-Imuokhuede Foundation, PSHAN

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, yesterday, signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the Aigbojie Aig-Imuokhuede Foundation and Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) to revitalise 18 Primary Healthcare Centres PHCs in the state.

Obaseki said the MOU mirrored a move in the right direction as PHC remain the most importance aspect of health care delivery and the closest to the people.

The governor who was represented by Secretary to State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, Obaseki said: “When we came in, we found out that Primary Healthcare is not about the building but the personnel to run it effectively. So we decided to rebuild our School of Health Technology so it can train the men and women who will run the PHCs’

“And with 774 PHCs’ across the country, there is need to collaborate with the Edo State School of Health Technology in order to help train PHC personnel.”

Commending the Aigbojie Aig-IMUOKHUEDE Foundation and the Private Sector Health Alliance for their support in the revitalization of its PHCs, he noted that though the state government has made significant improvement in making PHCs across the state functional, few still remained to be attended to.

Giving an overview of Adopt-A- Healthcare Facility Programme (ADHFP), the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe, said it is a strategic initiative aimed at revitalizing and establishing standard Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) across Nigeria.

She said in Edo State, the porgramme would be focusing on refurbishing PHCs in order to address healthcare challenges in the state.

According to her, 18 PHCs have been selected based on criteria such as the availability of Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, water and power supply, medical staff presence, and building conditions among others.

Dr. Akinbolagbe said: “The initial stage PHCs for revitalization includes Atoruru PHC in Sabongida-Ora, Evbuodia PHC in Oredo, Uteh PHC in Iwogban, and Idunmungha PHC in Uhunmwode.

“In implementing ADHFP in Edo State, both PSHAN and The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation play crucial roles, exemplifying a collaborative approach to healthcare improvement.

“The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation’s commitment of N2.3 bilion over five years, with N1.8 billion earmarked for renovating selected PHCs in Edo State, underscores dedication to enhancing healthcare infrastructure and services in the region”.

On her part, the Vice Chairman of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Mrs. Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, said the foundation was established to improve the lives of the people through transformed public service delivery and increased access to quality primary healthcare.

“To achieve our healthcare objectives, we form partnerships with the government and other private sector entities to drive initiatives aimed at improving the primary healthcare space. We are adopting 23 PHC centres in Nigeria, and 18 of them in Edo State.”