Edward Oseghe
The Edo State Government, through the Edo
State Health Insurance
Commission (EDOHIC), on Friday, December 12, marked the 2025 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day
with health walks, free medical screenings and on-the-spot
enrolment into the State Equity Plan across the three senatorial districts.
The activities were part of efforts to strengthen equitable healthcare delivery and expand enrolment into the Edo State
Health Insurance Scheme (EDOHIS).
The 2025 UHC Day, themed “Unaffordable Health Costs, We’re Sick of It,” aligned with the global call for resilient health systems that protect individuals and families from financial hardship.
For EDOHIC, the commemoration underscored its critical role in advancing Universal Health Coverage, promoting preventive healthcare and expanding enrolment into the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme to ensure that no resident is left behind.
Speaking during the event, the Director-General of EDOHIC, Dr. Mrs. Augusta Ikpea-Enaholo, reaffirmed the commitment of the Edo State Government to making quality healthcare accessible, affordable and available to all residents. She described UHC Day as an opportunity to engage communities, build public confidence in the health system and emphasize the importance of health insurance in shielding citizens from catastrophic health expenses.
“Universal Health Coverage is a shared responsibility. The Edo State Government remains committed to building a system where every resident can access quality care without financial hardship. Today’s health walk, free medical screening and enrolment into the State Equity Plan are tangible steps toward achieving this goal,” she said.
Her remarks set the tone for the day’s activities, which combined public sensitisation with direct healthcare interventions. The Health Walk in Edo South, which took place around the Oka Market environs in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, attracted representatives of key partner agencies, including the Edo State Ministry of Health, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EDOSEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Benin Operations Office, Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA), Edo State College of Health Sciences and Technology (EDOCOHEST) and the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences (EDOCNS). The walk terminated at Oka Market, where participants joined residents for free medical screening and health insurance sensitisation.
A major highlight of the UHC Day activities was the on-the-spot enrolment of eligible beneficiaries into the Edo State Equity Plan. Through this initiative, EDOHIC facilitated immediate access to quality healthcare for the poorest and most vulnerable residents, reinforcing its resolve to eliminate financial barriers to healthcare.
Representatives of partner agencies at the event stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in delivering accessible healthcare services and reducing out-of-pocket health expenditures, describing the initiative as a testament to the State Government’s dedication to equitable health service delivery.
Also speaking, Mrs. Edith Omorodion, who represented the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, commended EDOHIC for prioritising the health needs of Edo people, particularly women and other vulnerable groups. She urged residents across the state to enrol in the scheme, noting its affordability, accessibility and reliability in supporting family healthcare needs.
Following the Health Walk, residents of Oka Market in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area (Edo South), Afashio Primary Health Centre in Etsako West Local Government Area (Edo North), and Olinin Primary Health Centre, Uzea, in Esan North East Local Government Area (Edo Central), benefited from free medical services. These included blood pressure and blood sugar checks, physical examinations, wellness assessments and health insurance education, alongside onsite enrolment into the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme. Medical personnel comprising EDOHIC staff and volunteers attended to hundreds of residents.
At Afashio PHC, the Regional Supervisor for Edo North, Dr. Momodu Mustapha, lauded the EDOHIC leadership and the State Government for their sustained commitment to Universal Health Coverage, noting that beneficiaries expressed deep appreciation for the free medical services. Similarly, the Regional Supervisor for Edo Central, Mr. Percy Okuofo, who coordinated activities at Olinin PHC, praised the Commission for extending quality healthcare to communities across the district, adding that such initiatives enhance early detection of health conditions and improve overall health awareness.
Several beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the intervention, noting that the screenings helped uncover previously undetected health issues. One of them, Mrs. Omo Ibrahim, from Edo South, applauded the State Government and EDOHIC for bringing free medical services directly to her community, describing the initiative as timely and lifesaving, especially for residents who struggle to afford routine health checks. She also expressed relief at being enrolled in the State Equity Plan.
Overall, the 2025 UHC Day activities reaffirmed the Edo State Government’s and EDOHIC’s commitment to building an inclusive and resilient healthcare system. By integrating community engagement, free medical screenings and enrolment into the State Equity Plan, the initiative not only raised awareness about Universal Health Coverage but also delivered practical support to the most vulnerable, marking another decisive step towards ensuring that quality healthcare remains accessible, affordable and reliable for every resident of Edo State.
