Edo Launches Free Malaria Treatment In All Govt Hospitals
The Edo State Government has launched the free-of-charge testing and treatment of malaria in all government hospitals as part of measures to improve access to healthcare.
Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Health, Dr Andrew Iyamu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Benin City while speaking at the state government’s monthly briefing.
“Any government hospital you go, you don’t pay for malaria testing and treatment. It is free. The arrangement is for two years; after two years, the policy will be reviewed,” he said.
Iyamu said the Governor approved the policy to ensure that residents could access malaria treatment without financial constraints.
According to him, the administration had also renovated 65 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the 18 local government areas and 35 Secondary Health Centres, while efforts were being intensified to improve healthcare delivery and tackle substandard health facilities, quackery and fake drugs.
Iyamu, who was flanked by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Kassim Afegbua; Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Chris Okaeben; and the Executive Secretary of the Edo State Drugs and Health Commodity Agency, Princess Kenny Okojie, said: “We have renovated a total of 65 Primary Health Care Centres across the 18 local governments, and a total of 35 Secondary Health Centres.
“The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has also recruited about 1,000 health workers. The Eneghede General Hospital, which has been moribund for 19 years, has been renovated. Go to the doctors’ quarters; there is ongoing renovation of the doctors’ quarters.”
Iyamu also maintained that the late Special Adviser to the Governor on Arewa, Alhaji Danjuma Garba, died as a result of treatment he received from a fake doctor.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Edo State Drugs and Health Commodity Agency, Princess Kenny Okojie, said the state government had renovated all its drug warehouses constructed during the administration of the late General Samuel Ogbemudia, which had become dilapidated.
“We have renovated the drug warehouses that were built during the time of General Samuel Ogbemudia.
“The state government is working with Chinese investors to produce drugs in Edo State. We are also to supply drugs to the private sector.
“Our plan is the elimination of fake drugs and middlemen.”
