Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has tasked healthcare providers to deliver quality services to the people, especially at the primary healthcare centres.

The Governor gave the charge in Benin City on Thursday when he received the executive of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Edo State Chapter, at the Government House.

Obaseki, who commended the association for its contributions to the uplift of the state, observed that the passion shown by the association members was a demonstration of their commitment to contribute meaningfully to the development of the healthcare system in the state.

“l am delighted to see professionals who on their own volition want to give back to their people and assist in the development of their communities. I know the force of women and the extra work you put in as medical women,” he added.

He urged the group to partner with the state government in developing a policy framework that would be used to address some of the challenges militating against the primary healthcare system.

He explained: “There are generic problems and challenges and if we do not address these challenges, whatsoever we are doing will not be sustained overtime. As a government, we have to fix the healthcare system first by communicating our plans effectively because people equate healthcare with general hospitals.”

Obaseki disclosed that the state government, at a recent two-day health workshop, found out that the problems in the healthcare system could only be dealt with from the base through capacity building and assured that the state government would soon domesticate the Federal Government Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to give the people access to affordable healthcare.

In her remarks, the President of the association, Dr. Anthonia Njoku commended the Governor for his developmental strides, adding that the association was confident that he would bring the desired change in the state.

She noted that the association’s mandate included improving the health status of the populace, especially women and children who are the vulnerable groups in the society.

Njoku explained that the association was also charged with advocacy work, health talks, screening exercises and medical outreaches.

The health expert said the state chapter of MWAN has a rich resource of female doctors and dentists with about 300 members and sought the assistance of the state government in providing vehicles to reach out to more people and a women’s clinic with screening facilities.

•Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, listening to Dr. Anthonia Inibokun Njoku, President of Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Edo State Chapter, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Benin City

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