Edo State Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has recorded significant progress in strengthening primary healthcare delivery across the state through the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project.
The initiative, implemented under the leadership of the Edo State Government, led by Senator Monday Okpebholo, is focused on improving access to quality healthcare services, particularly for women, children, and underserved communities across both rural and urban areas.
In furtherance of this objective, the partnership has driven major investments in infrastructure, healthcare delivery systems, maternal and child health services, immunization coverage, and digital health reporting across Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the state.
Speaking on the intervention, the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Edo State, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, described the project as a major improvement in the quality and reach of healthcare services in the state. According to him, “through the IMPACT Project, Edo State is witnessing a clear transformation in primary healthcare delivery. 61 facilities have been revitalized, 21 in Edo South, 20 in Edo Central, and 20 in Edo North. Maternal services have improved, and immunization outreach has expanded. We are closing long-standing gaps in access. We are grateful to His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for ensuring the project continues to thrive in Edo State. We also appreciate the World Bank for its support. Our focus remains on ensuring that every resident, regardless of location, can access safe, affordable, and reliable healthcare services.”
All facilities supported under the IMPACT Project provide services like normal delivery, antenatal care, routine immunization, malaria testing and treatment, family planning services, and health education free of charge. These interventions are designed to reduce financial barriers, increase facility utilization, and ensure that families can access essential care without delay.
Since the commencement of the project in 2023, with full operational rollout beginning in 2024, the IMPACT Project has strengthened routine immunization, malaria control, maternal health services, newborn care, and community-level healthcare delivery across the state.
The Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Dr. Coulson Oahimire Osoikhia, noted that the intervention has significantly improved system efficiency and service delivery at the primary healthcare level, in his words, “the IMPACT Project has strengthened the operational capacity of our primary healthcare system. 61 facilities were revamped, over 200 laptops and tablets were procured, and monitoring and evaluation officers were trained to improve data systems. We are also seeing improved service delivery in immunization, with outreach activities now more targeted and reaching more communities to ensure that no one is left behind.”
Health workers are well trained and are delivering quality healthcare services to communities. Thanks to the support provided by the world bank, PHCs in Edo State are now more functional and accountable.
One of the major outcomes of the project is in the area of maternal healthcare delivery, where 192 skilled birth attendants (SBAs) have been deployed across the state. This has contributed to a significant increase in facility-based deliveries attended by trained health professionals, improving maternal and newborn survival outcomes. Facility-based deliveries have increased by over 100 per cent since 2024, when the project became fully operational.
At IMPACT-supported facilities, pregnant women now benefit from free normal delivery services, while new mothers receive mama-kits containing essential post-delivery items such as sanitary pads, diapers, tissue paper, disinfectants, and detergents etc.
To further strengthen maternal health services, ultrasound scanning machines have been distributed across all 18 Local Government Areas, improving early detection of pregnancy complications and enhancing safe delivery management.
The Project Manager of the IMPACT initiative in Edo State, Dr. Osayomore Idemudia, stated that implementation has been community-focused and results-driven. According to him, “the implementation of the IMPACT Project has focused on achieving results at the community level. By combining the revitalization of 61 facilities, deployment of skilled birth attendants across wards, expansion of immunization outreach campaigns, and the use of digital reporting tools, we are ensuring that services reach the grassroots”. He further stated that
“Our priority is not only infrastructure and medical equipment but also accountability and measurable health outcomes across all supported facilities, as well as the sustainability of the gains achieved beyond the life of the project.”
The IMPACT Project has also provided critical logistics and digital support tools, including a supervisory bus, a Hilux vehicle, and over 200 laptops and iPads to strengthen data reporting, supervision, and monitoring across Local Government Areas.
In addition, performance-based incentives have been introduced to motivate health workers and improve the quality of service delivery across supported centers.
Immunization outreach under the project has been expanded across all 18 local government areas and 192 wards, targeting zero-dose children, under-immunized children, and hard-to-reach populations. Health workers also provide antenatal education, health promotion, family planning, malaria testing and treatment, and basic maternal care during both facility-based services and outreach sessions.
Community participation has been strengthened through Ward Development Committees, which serve as a link between health facilities and residents. A grievance redress mechanism has also been introduced, allowing community members to report concerns through suggestion boxes and committee structures at facility level.
In conclusion, the IMPACT Project in Edo State has significantly strengthened primary healthcare delivery and restored public trust in PHCs. It is the expectation of residents that these gains will be sustained beyond the lifespan of the project in the state.