The Edo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, has launched a transformative rural healthcare agenda that is rewriting the story of healthcare delivery across the state’s under-served communities.
With an audacious policy direction rooted in access, equity, and sustainability, the administration is not only investing in physical infrastructure but also in the long-term dignity and health of the Edo people.
Governor Okpebholo’s rural health revolution is anchored on the state’s development blueprint: “SHINE”: “Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources, and Education”.
Under the “Health” component of this agenda, the administration is breaking historical barriers to medical access by prioritizing rural communities often left behind in national conversations about public health.
Speaking on the impact of the new healthcare direction, Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole stated that the Okpebholo administration has set in motion one of the most robust and inclusive health reforms in the history of the state.
“We understand that government cannot do everything alone,” Dr. Oshiomhole explained. “But when the privileged help to insure the vulnerable, especially through our diaspora networks, we move closer to achieving near-total health coverage.”
At the heart of this new direction is a grassroots-driven health insurance model that extends subsidized medical plans to rural dwellers who previously lacked access to even the most basic healthcare services. These plans are designed not as charity but as “sustainable social investments” that will serve as the financial foundation for revitalizing primary healthcare centres across the state.
“With a vibrant and well-funded health insurance scheme, we can fix our healthcare infrastructure and ensure these facilities are operational, well-staffed, and accountable,” Dr. Oshiomhole emphasized.
In addition to expanding insurance coverage, the government is investing heavily in public health education, infrastructure rehabilitation, and human capacity development.
A team of health educators has been deployed to communities across all three senatorial zones, where they are engaging in direct, in-language sensitization on hygiene, vaccination, and general wellness practices.
The state is also responding proactively to emerging health concerns. In the wake of the recent diphtheria outbreak, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), launched a statewide surveillance and vaccination campaign. So far, 15 suspected cases have been reported, with six confirmed and three fatalities.
“We are not waiting for numbers to escalate before taking action,” the Health Commissioner stated. “We are actively educating communities, administering booster doses, and prioritizing early intervention. Diphtheria is vaccine-preventable, and we are doing everything to ensure people understand this.”
Despite challenges such as vaccine misinformation and logistical bottlenecks, the state’s commitment remains firm. “We are not making pronouncements from air-conditioned offices. We are in the field, sitting with people, countering myths with facts,” Dr. Oshiomhole said.
Governor Okpebholo’s health revolution also includes strong partnerships with the media to deepen public awareness. The government is working closely with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other media platforms to amplify health messages and encourage citizen participation. “The media is not just a mouthpiece. They are partners in this revolution. Their role is critical in ensuring our message reaches every ward and household,” the Commissioner affirmed.
This comprehensive approach: combining policy, infrastructure, human capital, and community participation, underscores the administration’s vision for a health system where every Edo citizen, regardless of location or income, has access to dignified, life-saving care.
Governor Okpebholo’s leadership is reshaping healthcare delivery in Edo State into a model of compassion, clarity, and competence. The administration’s focus is not on short-term projects but on long-term systems that will outlast political cycles and transform the lives of future generations.
With momentum building, community trust growing, and national partners lending support, Edo State is well on its way to becoming a model of rural healthcare transformation in Nigeria.
