IT has become the established ritual that most successor governments in Africa tend to rubbish or totally obliterate the strides, contributions and achievements of their predecessors through jaundiced commentaries or outright selective amnesia – all in the name of politics.

During the celebration of Edo State’s 20th Anniversary, the monumental contributions of the state’s immediate past Governor, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor were deliberately consigned to the back-stage or lumped together with the dark days of the Igbinedion eight-year hiatus.

This is in spite of the verifiable evidence of concrete strides that he made in the areas of social, political, infrastructure and economic development. The discerning people of Edo State are appreciative of the onerous efforts made by the Osunbor Administration to uplift the living standard of Edo people within available resources accruable to the state without going on a borrowing bringe that would have enslaved future generations of Edolites.

One of the critical and core areas through which Professor Osunbor touched the everyday living of a larger mass of Edo people was in the healthcare delivery sector.

The landmark strikes recorded in the 18 – month helmsmanship of Senator Osunbor in Edo State is largely traceable to his will, zeal and diligence of focus to bring succour and people – friendly governance to the large mass of the Edo people within available resources.

Like other sectors of the people’s life and living that had been grossly neglected for almost a decade before he assumed the Governorship of Edo State, healthcare delivery was moribund in the 1999/2007 years of the locust.

The result–oriented and committed leadership of Senator Osunbor turned around this vital sector that had become a leprous sore that the previous administration could not cure but also aggravated its dismal condition.

The Osunbor Administration within one year, recorded monumental achievements in healthcare delivery in Edo State in the areas of:

*Revitalishing Primary Healthcare services

The state government paid the sum of N90m as its own counterpart contribution for the African Development Bank, ADB, component of the Health System Development Project II, HSDPII, primarily designed and tailored to strengthen primary healthcare delivery system in Edo State.

As a consequence of the payment of the state’s counterpart contribution, the Ministry of Health carried out the under-listed activities to boost healthcare services in the state:

*Procured and distributed various types of equipment and furnishings for health institutions across the state.

*Procured and deployed four Nissan ambulances, fitted with modern facilities to improve referral activities in the rural areas of the state.

*Procured and distributed 15 solar-powered cold chain equipment to improve and update vaccine management in primary healthcare facilities.

*Took delivery of 10 No. 75KVA generators for improved service delivery at the primary healthcare level.

*Renovated dilapidated warehouse at the State Medical Stores for improved equipment storage and preservation.

*Commenced the renovation and up – grading of 12 primary healthcare facilities in the 3 senatorial districts of the state.

*Constructed and furnished a library/information management department at the State School of Health Technology and classrooms for the School of Nursing and Midwifery to facilitate the full accreditation of the health training institutions.

In addition, the Osunbor Administration, in its avowed commitment to robust health for all Edolities, embarked upon the procurement of modern hospital equipment for distribution to primary healthcare centres across the state under the Edo State HSDP II.

More than 270 primary healthcare centres spread across the 18 local government areas of the state, were at various stages of rehabilitation and upgrading while more drugs, furnishings and equipment were being provided before the judicial coup that truncated the Osunbor Administration.

As part of the PHC service delivery in the state, Vitamin A supplementation became a vital area of focus to enhance the good health of the people. Consequently, Immunisation Plus Days with Vitamin A supplementation took place in February 2008.

As a result of improved supplementation and immunisation across Edo State, over 60 per cent increase in clinic attendance and use of healthcare facilities was recorded during the first 12 months of the Osunbor Administration.

Mr. RAMSON UZUANGBE, a political anlyst, wrote from Benin City, Edo State.