By Edward Oseghe
The Director General of the Edo State Health Insurance Commission (EDOHIC), Dr. Augusta Ikpea-Enaholo, says strengthened collaboration between the Commission and healthcare providers has led to major improvements in the quality and reach of healthcare services across the state under the Edo Health Insurance Scheme.
Dr. Ikpea-Enaholo made the remark on Wednesday at the EDOHIC Desk Officers’ Interactive Session held in Benin City, where she reviewed the scheme’s 2025 performance and outlined priorities for 2026.
She noted that health providers across Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North demonstrated unwavering commitment to accessible and quality healthcare, resulting in expanded patient coverage and increased patient satisfaction.
“These improvements are a testament to your tireless efforts and continued collaboration,” she said.
The EDOHIC DG, however, emphasized the need to confront lingering challenges, including gaps in service delivery, uneven patient outcomes across facilities, and the need for stronger integration of health information systems.
“Addressing these issues is vital if we are to provide equitable, efficient and high-quality healthcare to all our beneficiaries,” she stressed.
Looking ahead to 2026, Dr. Ikpea-Enaholo called for proactive engagement and adoption of innovative strategies such as digital health tools, targeted capacity-building, and deeper provider collaboration, noting that these will help elevate service standards across the scheme.
She urged partner facilities to remain focused on quality, transparency and innovation in order to guarantee that every enrollee receives timely, compassionate and effective care.
Reviewing the 2025 EDOHIC–Healthcare Service Providers synergy, Dr. Ikpea-Enaholo highlighted progress recorded through the implementation of key protocols, including the QR Code Communication Channels, Claims Pre-authorization Process, Emergency Protocols for Enrollees, the Bills of Rights policy document, and the introduction of EDOHIC ID cards for dependents.
Also speaking, Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist Ibrahim Okoro, who represented the Director of Health Services and Standards, Dr. Osayuki Edosa-Iyayi, presented the 2025 Quality Assurance Report for Quarters 2 and 4. He said the evaluation provided insights into service gaps and corrective measures aimed at achieving visible improvements by the end of Quarter 1, 2026.
The interactive session was chaired by Dr. Ikpea-Enaholo.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to individuals and healthcare facilities that demonstrated outstanding performance in 2025.
Vision Theatre Eye Clinic emerged as Best Referral Facility (2025).
The Best Desk Officer Awards went to: Awesome Aliheri, New Graceland Hospital (Edo North); Mrs. Jennifer Oniwona, St. Camillus Hospital (Edo Central); and Clementina Amiolemien, Mount Gilead Hospital (Edo South).
In the Best Facility category, the winners were: Edo North: Fate Medical Centre, Auchi; Edo Central: St. Camillus Catholic Hospital; Edo South: Bethel Faith Hospital.
The Best Public Facility Award was received by General Hospital, Abudu.
In addition, Mr. Felix Odunayo of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) received a special recognition award for outstanding service, commitment, and professionalism.
Desk Officers Ariokpere Prince and Kerimu Bright Wahab commended EDOHIC for sustaining engagements that promote professionalism, dedication and improved healthcare delivery across facilities.
