Edward Oseghe
The Edo State Health Insurance Commission (EDOHIC) has strengthened its partnership with Medical Officers of Health (MOHs) across the state as part of efforts to enhance service delivery and advance people-centred healthcare in all Local Government Areas.
At a strategic engagement session held at the Commission’s headquarters in Benin City, MOHs and key stakeholders from the three senatorial districts convened to review performance, improve reporting processes, and reinforce inter-agency collaboration.
In her welcome remarks, the Director General of EDOHIC, Dr. (Mrs.) Augusta Ikpea-Enaholo, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring accessible, efficient, and dependable healthcare for residents across Edo State. She commended the MOHs for their vital role in coordinating primary healthcare services and highlighted recent achievements, including the onboarding of additional Primary Healthcare Centres, improved facility readiness, and notable expansion in access to quality care at the grassroots.
The engagement, led by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Owen Omorogbe, centred on three key areas: review of performance for Quarter 2 and Quarter 3, assessment of Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and State Equity data reporting tools, and evaluation of State Equity financial management systems.
During the performance review session, Dr. Omorogbe noted that EDOHIC has set clear benchmarks to assess MOH effectiveness, emphasising that supervisory reporting remains crucial to informed planning and targeted intervention.
“MOHs consistently carry out supervisory visits, and the findings from these visits determine the extent to which stakeholders can intervene and provide necessary support,” he said.
He further underscored the importance of quality data in strengthening the health system, stating that many operational and strategic decisions rely on submissions from Officers-in-Charge (OICs).
To enhance reporting accuracy, training materials were distributed to MOHs for onward training of OICs across all LGAs, accompanied by an audio-visual demonstration of proper data reporting procedures.
Contributions from Dr. Marvelson Ima-Obasogie, MOH for Oredo LGA, and Dr. Ehikioya Beauty Efosa, MOH for Ikpoba-Okha LGA, highlighted gains in service utilization and the positive impact of the Commission’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on efficiency and outcomes.
A notable moment during the meeting was the recognition of Dr. Ogamune Godwin, MOH for Etsako Central LGA, who emerged as the Best Performing Officer for Quarter 3. His diligence, timely reporting, and consistently high-quality data earned him commendation from EDOHIC leadership and colleagues.
The session reaffirmed the collective responsibility of strengthening primary healthcare delivery and ensuring that all residents—especially the most vulnerable—receive timely, high-quality services.
Dr. Ikpea-Enaholo pledged the Commission’s continued support to MOHs and expressed confidence in the state’s trajectory under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
“With sustained collaboration and a shared vision, Edo State is firmly on the path toward a resilient healthcare system and broader socio-economic development,” she said.
