Edo Specialist Hospital Seeks Stronger Public-Private Partnerships To Expand Healthcare Access

The Edo Specialist Hospital has called for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to expand access to quality healthcare, saying partnerships are becoming increasingly important in addressing gaps in medical service delivery.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Antonia Inibukun-Njoku, made the call during a three-day healthcare outreach organised in collaboration with the NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL)/Seplat Energy Joint Venture in Benin City.

She said the partnership enabled hundreds of residents to receive eye screenings, surgeries, prescription glasses, dental care and other basic medical services at no cost.

According to her, the collaboration marked the first time the hospital had partnered with the organisers of the long-running ‘Eye Can See’ initiative.

“This year’s programme is unique because it is being hosted in collaboration with Edo Specialist Hospital. The ‘Eye Can See’ initiative has been implemented in Edo for several years, but this is the first time we are partnering in this way,” she said.

Inibukun-Njoku said partnerships between healthcare institutions and private organisations could help improve access to specialist medical services and reduce barriers to treatment for underserved communities.

Representing the Edo State Government, the Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Health, Dr. Andrew Iyamu, described the outreach as complementary to the state’s efforts to expand access to healthcare.

Beneficiaries who received treatment welcomed the initiative, with some saying they were able to access eye examinations, medication and other services they might otherwise have been unable to afford.