Politics
By Nnedinma Okeke
THE Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) has with Aguata Local Government Area (LGA), commenced the first phase health facilities tour of the 21 LGAs of the state.
The objective of the tour was to ascertain and aquire firsthand information on the activities and situations/challenges of primary healthcare facilities across the state.
The tour also witnessed a courtesy visit to the Traditional Ruler, His Royal Highness, Igwe Lieut. Col. C.A.O Muoghalu (Rtd), Isu II of Isuofia.
The Executive Secretary (ES) ASPHCDA, Pharm Chisom Uchem speaking during the courtesy visit/tour in Aguata LGA noted that the ASPHCDA was mandated to ensure that every Primary Health Centre (PHC)/ Health Post in the state was functioning effectively.
“I am one week in office and I decided with my team that we would embark on this exercise to enable us to get firsthand information of happenings in health facilities.
“With our findings, we will be able to improve on the already good services being rendered at the PHCs level and as well see how we can tackle challenges also faced in the health facilities.
“Anything within our power to beautify and face-lift the PHCs in Anambra will be done. We run an open door policy as the Agency can be called upon for issues relating to Primary Healthcare,” she said.
Pharm Uchem commended the Traditional Ruler, Igwe Muoghalu for his roles in primary healthcare in Isuofia while assuring on PHCs improvements in the LGA and state at large.
The facility tour was escalated to four health facilities in the community namely; Isuofia PHC Okpoko, Umueze PHC, Ozala Isuofia PHC and Ekwusigo Health Post Isuofia.
The ES urged the community members to support health workers to enable them to serve the community better. She implored them to be watchdogs of their health facilities in order to sustain the development which are abound.
Pharm Uchem, while, urging that the Agency be notified in the misbehaviour of any health worker, condemned the attitude of an health worker in one of the PHCs visited.
She assured that challenges faced in the facilities would be duly addressed. “We are hopeful for the state government’s approval in recruitment of workers into the LGA health workforce and when this is done, we will have more staff in our PHCs.
She, then, urged the community to take advantage of the services provided at the PHCs as it was better accessing care from trained health personnel.
Igwe Muoghalu thanked the team for their individual and collective efforts toward greater achievements in the state’s health sector.
He noted that strengthening the healthcare system from the grassroot was an efficient way of bettering the lives of the people especially those in rural communities.
Igwe Muoghalu, also, commended the State Government on its giant strides in positioning Anambra which is the light of the nation.
He prayed for God’s protection and long life upon Gov. Chukwuma Soludo who just marked one year in office, imploring Ndi Anambra to give their support to the government of day.
The Director, Community Health Services Department, ASPHCDA, Dr Frank Umeh advocated for continuous community participation in Primary Healthcare.
He emphasized on the essence of having full benefits of PHC which renders various services ranging from Immunization, Health education, Nutrition and treatment of minor illnesses.
Mr Boniface Okafor, WDC Chairman, Isuofia PHC Okpoko and Mr Tochukwu Offordile, Vice Chairman , Okpoko Community both stressed on challenges faced by some PHCs in their vicinity.
These challenges according to them includes; the absence of a resident or visiting doctor in their PHCs, facility beddings, facilities face-lift such as tiling the floors, some basic health equipment and non availability of generator to aid power supply.
Others are; leaking roof top and dilapidated structure suffered by Ekwusigo Health Post, Isuofia.
The duo urged the state government to aid position things in health facilities as the PHCs being the first port of call in the communities needs to be equipped with both human and other basic necessities.
The WDC Chairman, Isuofia Community, Mr Bede Onwurah while noting that the Isuofia community was trying in its efforts in development of its PHCs stressed that efforts of the government was highly needed.
He complained on the non inclusion of the WDCs/community members in some health activities such as; Immunization campaigns and Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) distribution, imploring that they should be involved and carried along during campaigns. (MOI)
RNI/Ezenwata
KN
Tags: ASPHCDA Nnedinma Okeke Pharm Chisom Uchem
