Transforming Healthcare Through Strategic Reform
In 2018, Lauren Parker Limited (LPL) was engaged by the Edo State Government to support the design and implementation of bold, system-wide reforms aimed at transforming the healthcare sector.
This work was anchored under the Edo State Health Improvement Programme (EdoHIP) a flagship initiative introduced by His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki at the 2019 Alaghodaro Conference. It marked a first-of-its-kind moment in Nigerian governance: a sitting governor presenting an open account of his administration’s reform agenda, seeking buy-in from stakeholders, and charting a clear path toward progress.
At its heart, EdoHIP was built around one unshakable commitment: to increase access to efficient, effective, and sustainable healthcare for all residents of Edo State. Through this lens, we worked closely with government to define and drive a number of strategic interventions.
A Four-Pillar Vision for Reform
Strengthening Primary Healthcare
We supported the rehabilitation of primary healthcare centres, redesigning service delivery through improved infrastructure, operational efficiency, digitization, and community-level accountability. The target: 200 fully functional, standardized clinics across the state by 2024.
Restoring Secondary Healthcare Facilities
At the secondary care level, we focused on rebuilding key state hospitals to deliver best-in-class services. Our support ranged from infrastructure upgrades and diagnostics integration to SOP development and personnel repositioning laying the foundation for consistent, high-quality care.
Innovative Health Financing
To sustain these reforms, we co-developed the state’s health insurance scheme. The creation of the Edo State Health Insurance Commission allowed for expanded coverage, targeted support for vulnerable populations, and increased private-sector partnerships. The goal: 1 million insured lives by 2024.
Healthcare Workforce & Capacity Building
Recognizing the pivotal role of people, we helped revamp and re-accredit the School of Nursing and Midwifery. We also supported ongoing training for frontline workers, ensuring they were equipped to deliver high-impact care.
Implementation, Innovation & Impact
LPL played a central role in translating this vision into measurable outcomes:
Primary Care
Infrastructure renovation, operational streamlining, health worker upskilling, and the setup of a development agency to ensure sustainability
Secondary Healthcare Facilities
Equipment upgrades, diagnostics integration, policy reform, and the introduction of technology to enhance billing, case tracking, and analytics.
Health Financing
Design and rollout of the state health insurance scheme, with a focus on sustainable funding, technical partnerships, and equity.
Data & Decision-Making
The reforms ushered in an unprecedented level of visibility across the system. Within 18 months, state investment in healthcare rose from 3% to approx. 11%, driven by robust, real-time data on utilization, performance, and reach.
Crisis Response: COVID-19
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the healthcare system already in transition was put to the ultimate test. LPL stood alongside the government and other partners at the frontlines of the response. From the establishment of a unified governance structure, to setting up emergency helplines, community education, testing, case management, and care for vulnerable groups, Edo State’s approach was swift, coordinated, and impactful.
The result? Edo was ranked second best in Nigeria in handling the pandemic an achievement that reflected both preparation and resolve.
A Legacy of Impact
At Lauren Parker Limited, we don’t just advise we co-create transformation. The EdoHIP journey is a testament to what becomes possible when political will, community participation, and technical expertise come together. From clinics in rural towns to hospitals in urban centers, from health workers to policymakers, the ripple effects of this partnership continue to be felt today.
“This is the work that drives us: building systems that serve, structures that last, and solutions that touch lives” – Uzor Ofulue, Engagement Partner.
