The Edo State Government has announced that malaria testing and treatment will be free in all government hospitals across the state. This decision is part of the government's efforts to improve access to healthcare delivery in the state. The policy, which was approved by Governor Monday Okpebholo, aims to ensure that residents can access malaria treatment without financial constraints.
According to the Special Adviser to Governor Okpebholo on Health, Dr. Andrew Iyamu, the governor has also renovated 65 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the 18 local government areas and 35 Secondary Health Centres. The government is working to improve healthcare delivery and tackle substandard health facilities, quackery, and fake drugs. The renovation of these health centres is part of the government's efforts to upgrade the state's healthcare infrastructure.
The free malaria testing and treatment policy is a two-year plan, after which it will be reviewed. Dr. Iyamu stated that the government has recruited about 1,000 health workers to boost the state's healthcare workforce. The Eneghede General Hospital, which had been moribund for 19 years, has been renovated, and the doctors' quarters are also undergoing renovation.
The Edo State Government has also handed over the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) and the Iva Akenzua Cultural Centre to the Benin monarch, Omo N'Oba N'Edo Ewuare II, Oba of Benin. The museum will revert to its original name, Edo Museum of West Africa (EMOWA), as conceived by the previous administration. The government has invested N3.8 billion in MOWAA, and the European Union only provided a grant in support of the project.
The Commissioner for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Chris Okaeben, stated that the return of EMOWA and the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre to the Benin monarch are part of the government's policy decisions. He noted that the state's traditional and cultural values had declined due to cultism and kidnapping, but the governor's administration has worked to sanitise the land.
The Edo State Government is working with Chinese investors to produce drugs for local use and sales to neighbouring states. The Executive Secretary of the Edo State Drugs and Health Commodity Agency, Princess Kenny Okojie, stated that the government has renovated all its drug warehouses, which had become dilapidated. The government aims to supply drugs to the private sector and improve access to essential medicines.
The Edo Carnival, meant to enhance the unity of Edo people, will be held in December. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, acknowledged complaints about bad roads but assured that the government would embark on massive road rehabilitation and construction after the rainy season. The government is working to improve the state's infrastructure and promote tourism.
Key points
- The Edo State Government has made malaria testing and treatment free in all government hospitals across the state.
- The government has renovated 65 Primary Health Centres and 35 Secondary Health Centres across the state.
- The government has handed over the Museum of West African Arts and the Iva Akenzua Cultural Centre to the Benin monarch.
