Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State, has proudly announced a significant transformation in the state’s healthcare system. Speaking to journalists in Benin City, he declared that these reforms have positioned Edo among the top five states in Nigeria for healthcare provision, life expectancy, and other vital health indicators.
According to a report by This Day Live, the governor underscored the success of the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme, which now boasts over 200,000 subscribers. He emphasized the decentralization of healthcare services, with a robust primary care system supported by secondary, tertiary, and specialist hospitals across the state’s three senatorial districts.
One of the revolutionary aspects, according to Governor Obaseki, is healthcare financing. “We’ve tackled the fear of payment head-on with our compulsory Edo health insurance scheme. This allows registered individuals access to any public or private healthcare center,” he explained.
The governor added that about 10% of the state’s budget is dedicated to health sector needs. This includes the completion of facilities at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital and the development of Primary Healthcare Centres across Edo State. The Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme are also receiving statutory payments, which he believes will attract more private sector involvement and reduce out-of-pocket health expenses for residents.
