The Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDPHCDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Branch, to improve healthcare delivery, particularly at the primary healthcare level.
The Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Coulson Osoikhia, stated this on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, when a five-member delegation from the EDPHCDA paid a courtesy visit to the newly elected Edo NMA Chairman, Dr. Andrew Eigbedion.
The delegation, led by Dr. Morgan-Owobu Omokpia, also included Dr. Ehizele Aimua, Dr. Caleb Adebayo, Dr. Pierre Oriaifo and Dr. Juliet Okoebor.
The visit was to congratulate Dr. Eigbedion and his newly elected executive team and discuss opportunities for stronger collaboration between the two institutions.
The EDPHCDA team called for a more inclusive relationship with the Edo NMA, particularly regarding doctors working within the primary healthcare system. The delegation also sought greater participation of primary healthcare doctors in the activities of the Association.
Responding, Dr. Eigbedion thanked the delegation for the visit and congratulatory gesture, describing it as a reflection of the shared commitment of both institutions to the welfare of medical practitioners and the advancement of healthcare delivery in the state.
He commended the Edo State Government under Governor Monday Okpebholo for the recent revitalisation of 61 primary healthcare centres across the state.
The NMA Chairman assured the delegation that his administration would work closely with the EDPHCDA through initiatives such as public health advocacy, medical outreaches, manpower development and technical exchanges.
He cited the 2026 Children’s Day programme organised by the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital as an example of the type of collaboration he hoped to build. During the programme, he led a workshop on Helping Babies Breathe and Essential Newborn Care, which strengthened the capacity of 200 primary healthcare personnel in Edo Central Senatorial District.
On the inclusion of primary healthcare doctors in NMA activities, Eigbedion said doctors under the EDPHCDA are affiliated with the Association through the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP). He pledged to facilitate their appropriate representation in the Edo NMA State Executive Council in line with the Association’s rules and regulations.
He also promised that the Edo NMA leadership would engage relevant authorities to ensure that NMA dues deducted from the salaries of doctors are promptly remitted to the Edo NMA treasury.
The newly elected Edo NMA Treasurer, Dr. Henrietta Ugbeni, thanked the EDPHCDA team for its support during the recent NMA elections and pledged to work with the chairman and other executive members to deliver meaningful projects during their tenure.
The meeting ended with both institutions reaffirming their commitment to building a stronger healthcare system in Edo State and improving collaboration among medical practitioners in the primary healthcare system and the wider NMA structure.
The visit concluded with a group photograph involving the EDPHCDA delegation and the newly elected Edo NMA leadership.
