Edo wins over N185m cash prize for PHC reform

It was an exciting moment for the government of Edo state as it emerged runner-up position, South-South region at the Nigeria Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge, clinching over N185m ($400,000) cash prize.

The Challenge is a joint project of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the Dangote Foundation and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the immediate past Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akoria Obehi, led the delegation from the Edo State Ministry of Health to the very colorful event held at Presidential Villa, in Abuja.

Commenting on the honour, Obaseki said; “Our primary goal has always been to improve healthcare delivery and ensure that every citizen has access to quality primary healthcare services. For us, this is not just a recognition of our achievements but an affirmation of our resolve to continue pushing the boundaries of excellence in healthcare delivery. It reinforces our determination to sustain the momentum we have built and further improve the well-being of our people.”

He reassured, “We will continue to invest in infrastructure, human resources, and cutting-edge technologies that will strengthen our primary healthcare system and make it more responsive to the needs of our communities.”

Also, Prof. Akoria said the Challenge provided a fine platform to showcase the outstanding progress made by the Governor Obaseki-led administration in promoting primary healthcare and ensuring that every Edo citizen has access to quality care.

The Representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, noted that the award was in recognition of the exceptional leadership shown by the governors in investing significantly in Primary Health Care, thereby positively transforming the lives of women, girls, and children in their respective states.