Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has
said that the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration has initiated policies and reforms that will ensure a sustainable healthcare delivery system.

Idahosa stated this while chairing the second meeting of the state taskforce on Primary Health Care (PHC), at the New Festival Hall, Government House in Benin.

According to statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Friday Aghedo, the meeting included the taskforce members, stakeholders, and developmental partners.

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In his keynote address, the deputy governor called for societal vigilance and surveillance to help curtail the effects of the outbreak of Dengue Fever and Diphtheria.

He mentioned that the state was putting up concerted efforts at building a responsive and resilient PHC system.

He encouraged members of the taskforce to be solutions driven, as well as be an instrument of change in their quest to disseminate, enlighten and champion a result driven health process that benefits locals across the eighteen local government areas.

He noted that the plan was to make primary healthcare the most accessible form of healthcare in the state to aid better maternal and health outcomes.

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Idahosa singled out and commended the Egor local government chairman, Hon. Kelvin Eguaekun, for his concerted effort to network and maintain cleanliness in his council area.

Idahosa informed the state government move to implement a reward system for local government chairmen who play critical roles in their domains by disseminating and implementing processes that showcase the benefits of a cleaner environment to drive down diseases.

Amongst chairmen who pledged to implement reached decisions at the stakeholders meeting included Hon. Haruna Mohammed of Owan East and Hon. Joy Ohonyor of Owan West.

Edo State government said measures have been put in place to combat the outbreak of Dengue Fever and Diphtheria.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, disclosed this during a meeting with the state deputy governor and taskforce on Primary Health Care (PHC), at the New Festival Hall, Government House in Benin

He said the government has made donations of medical supplies to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) as part of the intervention.

Oshiomhole listed the medical supplies to include hospital beds, mattresses, oxygen cylinders, intravenous fluids, and and erythromycin, among others.

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Dr. Oshiomhole also mentioned that the state received support of twenty doses of Diphtheria antitoxins from Delta state government.

“We also want to commend the UBTH, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and development partners such as UNICEF, WHO for their collaborative efforts and provision of technical support to combat the disease.

“NCDC provided the state with diphtheria antitoxins and intravenous erythromycin and other logistics.

“In addition, NCDC team is presently on ground to do a verbal autopsy of some of the current victims of the Diphtheria outbreak,” he stated.

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He noted that the state is also faced with dengue fever which has led to the emphasis on the need for a cleaner environment.

Oshiomhole also reminded on Lassa fever whose outbreak can be controlled to an extent through environmental cleanliness.

The commissioner explained the reactive vaccination for teens from ages 5-14 in schools based on the outbreak of Diphtheria in six council areas of the state.

He harped on the need for contact tracing in neighborhoods and schools in order to track and vaccinate high-risk people, front liners, and high-risk personalities in society.

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Earlier, Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Dr. Coulsen Oisokhai, called for collaboration with civil society organizations and development partners to strengthen relationships.

Speaking on behalf of implementing partners, Dr. Nora Eyo of the WHO harped on vaccine hesitancy as a major challenge faced in Edo State.

She pointed out the prevalence of waste dumps in residential buildings in the state as a challenge to sound health.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has warned all patrol officers to shun bribery and all forms of unethical practices across the country.

Assistant Corps Marshal Yakubu Mohammad, the new Zonal Commanding Officer of FRSC Zone RS12HQ in Charge of Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states, made the warning in Bauchi on Friday after resuming office.

According to him, measures were in place to apprehend and sanction any FRSC personnel who compromise their duties, adding that both those who offer bribes and those who accept them would face prosecution in accordance with the scheme’s extant laws.

Mohammad, who called on all road users especially, in Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states to cooperate with FRSC personnel on duty, emphasized the need to prioritize safety and strict compliance with traffic rules and regulations, particularly as the rainy season approaches.

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The Zonal Commanding Officer urged all officers and personnel within his commands to remain dedicated to their duties, saying that under the leadership of Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, FRSC was planning to implement a policy of consultation, alongside rewards and punishments for compliance and disobedience.

“I want to urge motorists in these three states to be safety-conscious by avoiding overloading, speeding, and dangerous driving behaviors, and to refrain from using rickety vehicles.

“I also want to assure the public that the FRSC is always prepared to respond promptly to rescue operations and will work collaboratively with all stakeholders and sister security agencies to promote a safe road culture in the three states,” he said.

The FRSC boss expressed commitment to public education, rescue of road traffic victims, and the strict enforcement of traffic regulations in line with the initiatives of the Corps Marshal.

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He also advised drivers to install and make use of the FRSC App to know more about Corps activities while regulating their speed.

He further called on them to regularly check their eyesight and blood pressure which he said, could negatively affect their driving abilities.

Mohammed took over from Assistant Corps Marshal Jeol Dagwa, who has been redeployed to the FRSC National Headquarters, Abuja as ACM for Administration.

Prior to his appointment and subsequent deployment to Bauchi as the Zonal Commanding Officer of the three states, ACM Yakubu Mohammad served as the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Administration at the FRSC National Headquarters in Abuja.