Edo State's Deputy Governor, Honourable Dennis Idahosa, has issued a firm directive to significantly improve primary healthcare facilities serving the state's rural communities.
Directive for Rural Healthcare Strengthening
This mandate, aimed at providing essential and accessible health services to rural dwellers, was delivered by Idahosa in his capacity as Chairman of the state's Primary Health Care (PHC) Taskforce. He chaired the body's 4th quarterly meeting for the year in Benin on Friday, 19 December 2025.
During the session, the Deputy Governor specifically challenged local government chairmen across Edo to expand access to these critical services. He emphasised that health is a cornerstone of the SHINE agenda championed by Governor Monday Okpebholo's administration.
Major 2026 Measles-Rubella Vaccine Campaign Announced
A key focus of the meeting was the planning of a major public health initiative scheduled for 2026. Idahosa stressed that all hands must be on deck to execute a statewide Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign.
This campaign will target all children aged nine months to 14 years, irrespective of their previous vaccination history. The primary objective is to boost herd immunity across Edo State.
"Our collective goal is to reach every eligible child in Edo State with the MR vaccine. No child should be left behind," Idahosa declared.
Taskforce to Embark on Statewide Inspection Tour
Idahosa revealed that the first quarter of 2026 would be action-packed for the taskforce. He announced plans for strategic activities and direct engagement with health workers across all 192 Primary Health Centres in the state's 18 Local Government Areas.
"We don’t just want to sit here in Benin and expect things to be going well in other parts of the state," he stated. "We want to have inspections and interface with some of the health workers and inspect some of the facilities where our people are getting treatment in our rural areas."
The Deputy Governor expressed satisfaction with the progress made in healthcare delivery over the past year, attributing it to the collective efforts of stakeholders and strong collaboration with development partners. He specifically acknowledged the strategic guidance provided by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
The meeting, which was the last quarterly gathering for the year, also served as an opportunity to review the taskforce's performance and realign strategies for the coming year. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, was among other critical stakeholders who contributed to the discussions.
