World Health Day: Obaseki recommits to building a resilient health system, achieving Universal Health Coverage
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured that his government will sustain ongoing reforms in the state’s health sector to ensure a resilient, responsive, and efficient health system to guarantee access to equitable and quality healthcare delivery to Edo residents.
The governor gave the assurance in commemoration of World Health Day, celebrated every April 7, to mark the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Obaseki, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to realize Universal Health Coverage in the State, described the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Health for All’ as apt, noting that it reinstates the need to address healthcare inequalities and ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare services regardless of their economic status.
According to him, “Today, we join the rest of the world to commemorate World Health Day, set out to mark the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and celebrate the importance of good health and well-being.
“It also provides a fine opportunity to review global efforts at achieving Universal Health Coverage and strengthening collaborations to build responsive and resilient health systems to guarantee equitable healthcare delivery for all, including those living in rural and hard-to-reach communities across the world.”
He further noted, “As a government, we are paying critical attention to our health system and have made significant progress in improving the health of our citizens. We have invested heavily in the healthcare system, providing modern facilities and equipment, recruiting more medical personnel, and improving the welfare of healthcare workers.
“We have also implemented policies and programmes aimed at ensuring universal health coverage, such as the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme, which provides affordable health insurance to all residents of the state, and will sustain efforts that ensure access to equitable and quality healthcare services to all Edo citizens, knowing access to healthcare is a fundamental right that every person deserves, regardless of their ethnicity, socioeconomic status or gender.”
According to WHO, “In 1948, countries of the world came together and founded WHO to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health and well-being.
“WHO’s 75th anniversary year is an opportunity to look back at public health successes that have improved quality of life during the last seven decades. It is also an opportunity to motivate action to tackle the health challenges of today and tomorrow.”
