(C), in long gown, Hon. Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, flanked on her immediate (L), PS Joy Ihensekhien
The Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the Edo Healthcare Regulatory and Monitoring Agency (EDOHERMA) have agreed to deepen collaboration aimed at strengthening healthcare standards, improve emergency response systems, and enhance the quality of care in social welfare institutions across the State.
The partnership was initiated during a strategic courtesy visit by the Chief Executive Officer of EDOHERMA, Dr. Adesuwa Urhoghide Edigin to the Ministry, where she was received by the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, alongside senior management staff.
Sitted (C), Hon. Mrs Eugenia Abdallah, Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in conference with EDOHERMA officials in her office
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Edigin described EDOHERMA as the regulatory agency responsible for safeguarding healthcare standards across Edo State.
She explained that although the agency does not register public health facilities, a responsibility vested in the appropriate government ministries, it is mandated to regulate, inspect and monitor all healthcare facilities and services to ensure compliance with approved standards.
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According to her, the agency’s primary responsibility is to guarantee that healthcare providers and facilities operate in line with best practices, thereby protecting the health and wellbeing of residents of the State.
She stressed the need for close collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, particularly in ensuring that orphanages, shelters, rehabilitation centres, sexual assault referral centres and other social welfare institutions maintain the highest standards of hygiene, healthcare and safety.
Dr. Edigin also advocated the development of clear emergency preparedness and referral protocols for welfare institutions to enable timely access to quality healthcare whenever emergencies arise.
As part of efforts to promote transparency and accountability, she disclosed that EDOHERMA is strengthening its digital verification platform to enable members of the public confirm whether healthcare facilities and welfare institutions meet approved health standards.
The EDOHERMA CEO further appealed to the Ministry to notify the agency ahead of healthcare-related outreach programmes organised within its facilities.
She explained that the objective is not to hinder such initiatives but to ensure that only licensed healthcare professionals and certified facilities participate, while also enabling proper monitoring and follow-up where necessary.
Dr. Edigin commended the Ministry’s innovative approach to child welfare, observing that improved hygiene, healthcare practices and living conditions in social care facilities would significantly reduce preventable illnesses and lessen the burden on hospitals and the State’s healthcare system.
She reaffirmed EDOHERMA’s commitment to promoting preventive healthcare through effective regulation, professional certification and continuous monitoring, adding that the agency’s mandate is fully aligned with the vision of the Edo State Government to build a healthier society.
Responding, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, welcomed the proposed partnership, describing it as timely and essential to protecting vulnerable members of society.
She highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to promoting alternative care for children, a policy that seeks to gradually transition children from institutional care into safe and supportive family-based environments.
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According to the Commissioner, the initiative aligns with global best practices by providing children with a more nurturing atmosphere while reducing dependence on orphanages.
Hon. Abdallah asserts that the Ministry remains committed to working with relevant agencies to improve standards across all welfare institutions under its supervision.
As she assured EDOHERMA of the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate in areas of regulation, compliance, healthcare monitoring and emergency response.
The meeting ended with both agencies reaffirming their commitment to sustained collaboration; aimed at ensuring that every social welfare institution in Eco State operates in accordance with established health standards, thereby guaranteeing safer environments and improved quality of life for vulnerable citizens.
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