Edo State has held its quarterly Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project data review meeting.
The meeting, which took place on 15th May 2026 in John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Benin City, brought together key stakeholders to review data generated in the first quarter of 2026 from IMPACT Project activities across the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State.
The review focused on data from integrated primary health care services, immunization coverage, malaria service delivery, facility performance, financial accountability, documentation, environmental and social safeguards, as well as other service delivery challenges affecting Primary Health Care Centres in the state.
While addressing stakeholders at the meeting, the EDSPHCDA Board Chairman Dr. Odiase Ehiabhi, emphasized the importance of reliable data in strengthening the health system. He noted that quality data is necessary for effective planning, decision-making, monitoring, and improvement of health services across the state.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, EDSPHCDA, Dr. Coulson Oahimire Osoikhia, expressed concern over the practice of keeping facility funds unused while serious challenges remain unresolved in some Primary Health Care Centers. He stressed that funds released to facilities are meant to improve health services, address facility-level problems, and support better care for communities.
Adding to the discussion, the World Bank State Portfolio Focal Person, Mr. Kizito Okpebholo, also expressed concern over facilities that continue to save funds instead of using available resources to solve urgent service delivery problems. He observed that some facilities are facing staff shortages, insecurity, and lack of trained health workers, yet available funds remain unused.
According to him, facility funds should be used to address real problems at the facility level, including the engagement of needed staff where possible and the strengthening of local capacity to improve service delivery.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Edo State IMPACT Project Manager, Dr. Osayomore Idemudia, welcomed participants and explained that the quarterly data review meeting provided an opportunity for LGAs to present their activities, achievements, challenges, and plans going forward. He also stated that environmental and social safeguards would be reviewed as part of the meeting.
He further called for discussions on sustainability, urging stakeholders to begin thinking about how the gains recorded under the IMPACT Project can be sustained after the end of external funding.
During the meeting, each Local Government presentation highlighted major challenges affecting service delivery in the LGAs. These included staff shortages, accommodation problems, waste management issues, insecurity, poor documentation, and other facility-level concerns requiring urgent attention.
As part of the review, the EDSPHCDA Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Mrs. Esther Ajayi-David, presented the IMPACT financial report sheet for 2025/2026. Her presentation compared funds released for programmes with the results achieved, helping stakeholders understand the relationship between funding, implementation, and performance.
In attendance were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health (SA), Dr. Andrew Iyamu; EDSPHCDA Board Chairman, Dr. Odiase Ehiabhi; Executive Secretary EDSPHCDA, Dr. Coulson Oahimire Osoikhia; World Bank State Portfolio Focal Person, Mr. Kizito Okpebholo; Edo State IMPACT Project Manager, Dr. Osayomore Idemudia; NPHCDA State Coordinator, Mr. Jerry Osawe Lawani; EDSPHCDA Directors; Medical Officers of Health; Monitoring and Evaluation Officers from the 18 LGAs; development partners like UNICEF, Mr. Kingsley Okonkwo representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) including the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme (EDOHIS), Ministry of Health, Edo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; and the Africa Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF).
