Hon Dennis Idahosa, deputy governor of Edo state, has given orders for the strengthening of Primary Healthcare facilities in rural Edo state in an effort to provide essential and accessible health services to rural residents. When he chaired the fourth quarterly meeting of the state Primary Health Care (PHC) taskforce in Benin on Friday, gave he this order.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, the deputy governor challenged the local government chairmen to expand access to essential healthcare services across the state.
The deputy governor noted that as the taskforce chairman, all hands must be on deck to carry out the scheduled Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine campaign in Edo State in 2026 for children from 9 months to 14yrs of age, regardless of their previous vaccination record.
While presiding over the PHC Taskforce Meeting, the Taskforce Chairman also emphasised the need for all hands to be on deck to carry out the scheduled Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine campaign in the state in 2026.
He noted that the MR vaccine campaign would be for children from nine months to14 years of age, regardless of their previous vaccination record.
He explained that the essence of the MR vaccine campaign is to boost immunity, adding, “Our collective goal is to reach every eligible child in Edo State with the MR vaccine. No child should be left behind.”
The deputy governor further stated that the 4th quarterly meeting, which incidentally, is the last for the year was an opportunity to review the performance of taskforce and align and realign strategies for the year ahead.
He also emphasised that health remained a critical component of the SHINE agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo led administration of the state.
“Under his (Governor) guidance, we have sustained momentum in strengthening our primary health care system and expanding access to essential services across the state,” he stated.
The deputy governor however expressed satisfaction that a lot of ground has been covered in the area of healthcare provision within the past one year.
“These outcomes are the result of your collective efforts and the strong collaboration we have enjoyed with our development partners,” he said.
He also acknowledged the “strategic leadership and guidance provided by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
“They have continued to play a vital role in aligning our state-level interventions with national health priorities.”
Idahosa said the first quarter of 2026 would be filled with activities as the taskforce would be carrying out strategic activities and direct interface with health workers across the 192 PHCs centers in the 18 local government areas of the state.
He stated, “We don’t just want to sit here in Benin and expect things are going well in other parts of the state.
“We want to have inspections and interface with some of the health workers and inspect some of the facilities where our people are getting treatment in our rural areas.”
