The Edo State Government, through the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), in collaboration with John Snow Incorporated (JSI), convened a co-creation workshop at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) Friday the 4th of September, 2026 to strengthen the implementation of the School Health Programme (SHP) and improve HPV vaccination uptake across the state.
Representing the Executive Secretary EDSPHCDA, Dr. Coulson Osoikhia, the Director of Disease Control and Immunization, Dr. Eseigbe Efeomon, delivered a keynote presentation where he emphasized that schools are indispensable cornerstones for delivering health services to children, He noted that embedding routine HPV vaccination within the broader SHP framework will ensure sustainability and improve uptake. Dr. Eseigbe highlighted that cervical cancer, though a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Nigeria, is largely preventable through early vaccination. He further stated that schools provide the most strategic platform to reach nine-year-old girls while also strengthening other child health interventions.
The workshop stressed the need to move beyond campaign-style interventions toward a comprehensive, school-anchored health system that delivers multiple services, from routine physical screenings. nutrition services to health education and immunization. By creating School Health Clubs as health hubs within schools, Edo State aims to drive peer-to-peer learning, strengthen awareness, and foster community participation.
A three-phase roadmap was presented during the cocreation workshop to guide implementation, focusing broadly on preparation and community engagement, as well as structured service delivery in schools, post-service follow-up and documentation.
During the breakout sessions, participants worked in groups to co-design practical solutions for strengthening school health. Discussions focused on:
• Curriculum Integration: Embedding health education into classroom learning to build lifelong healthy habits.
• Operational Alignment: Coordinating school calendars with health service delivery, ensuring privacy, safety, and proper logistics.
• Community and Parental Engagement: Developing standardized consent processes, building trust through parent-teacher forums, and mobilizing community leaders to support school health initiatives.
Stakeholders reached consensus on appointing School Focal Persons in every school to serve as the link between healthcare teams, school authorities, parents, and students. This role will be critical in ensuring smooth coordination, accurate tracking of eligible children, and effective communication with families.
This initiative is aligned with the SHINE Agenda of the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, which prioritizes child wellness, safe learning environments, and multisectoral collaboration. By embedding health services into the daily life of schools, the state government ensures that children are able to learn in good health, supported by a healthful school environment, while communities are empowered to participate actively in sustaining these gains.
The workshop was attended by representatives from a wide range of organizations, including the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, State Ministry of Education, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Institute of Child Health (UNIBEN/UBTH), religious groups, civil society groups, technical partners such as WHO, JSI, MEDVICAL, and the Corona Management System, as well as the representatives from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
A communique from the workshop will serve as the guiding framework for implementation, ensuring that service delivery in schools is strengthened and that sustainable school health hubs are established across Edo State.