By Simeon OSAJIE
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu has called on the Edo State government to forge a strategic partnership aimed at transforming healthcare delivery across the state.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, the CMD highlighted key areas for collaboration, including the setting up of Community Dental Clinics in selected Primary Health Centers (PHCs) across 4 LGA’s to improve oral healthcare access at the grassroots, collaborative action in the management of mass casualty events and infectious disease control and the operationalization of the state-owned Oxygen Gas Plant in Usen, Ovia South West Local Government Area, among others.
Stressing that oral health care access is vital for patients at the grassroots in all our communities, Prof. Ize-Iyamu emphasized that partnering with UBTH to set up community Dental Clinics in Certain PHC’s would significantly bolster the state’s capacity to serve the unreached and underserved populations of Edo State through enhanced, collaborative healthcare services.
Responding, the Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole appreciated the CMD for the visit and expressed optimism that the collaboration between UBTH and the Edo State Ministry of Health will be fruitful especially as disease surveillance is currently ongoing and would improve public health services. He also expressed hope that health ecosystems would be strengthened in the State.