By Raymond Ozoji, Awka
Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ben Afam Obidike has taken a pragmatic step to strengthen primary healthcare services to ensure that the rural populace have access to quality and comprehensive medical services across the state.
This pragmatic step taken by the commissioner was the focal point at the inauguration of the Anambra State Taskforce on Primary Health Care (PHC) aimed at strengthening primary healthcare services, improve routine immunisations as well as ensure better healthcare delivery across Anambra state.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony at the Ministry of Health, State Secretariat Complex Awka, the commissioner stated that the task force would help bring government, health partners, and communities together to improve health services.
He noted that the meeting was held after discussions with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other development partners, adding that the state government was determined to improve primary healthcare through teamwork, better planning and greater community involvement.
According to him, many people do not benefit from government health programmes because health information was often difficult to understand. He therefore advised health workers and partners to use simple language, local dialects where necessary, and pictures or other easy ways of passing health messages. "We must change the way we share information if people do not understand what we are saying," he said.
Obidike also called for the reactivation of Primary Health Care task forces at the state, local government, ward, and community levels. He said Ward Development Committees would help educate communities, create awareness, and encourage people to use routine immunisation and other primary healthcare services.
He stressed the need for proper and efficient use of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), noting that good planning and proper use of the fund would improve healthcare services in primary health centres across the state. He equally urged members of the task force to remain committed to serving the people.
In his goodwill message, the World Health Organization (WHO) State Coordinator, Dr. Bonos Mohammed, praised the Anambra State Government for setting up the Primary Health Care Task Force. He described it as an important step towards improving healthcare services and routine immunisation in the state.
Dr. Mohammed said good leadership and proper supervision are important for quality healthcare. He noted that although many health workers have received training, more attention should now be given to monitoring their work, ensuring accountability, and improving service delivery.
He also called for the reactivation of task forces at the state, local government, and ward levels to improve the supervision of routine immunisation and other primary healthcare programmes. He urged stakeholders to ensure that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund is properly used to improve services at health facilities and called for a review of the membership of the State Task Force where necessary.
The WHO representative however assured the state of WHO's continued support in strengthening primary healthcare, improving routine immunisation and protecting the health of mothers and children.
The inauguration was attended by representatives of development partners, health agencies, government officials, and other stakeholders committed to improving primary healthcare in Anambra State.
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