By Our Reporter
Anambra State government has signed a partnership deal with the World Health Organization (WHO) and The United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) in a bid to address health challenges and improve public medical service delivery in the state.
The Commissioner for Health Anambra State, Dr. Afam Obidike disclosed the 2022 reverse budget defence in Awka over the weekend.
While answering questions from the House of Assembly committee on health chaired by Hon. Carta Dike Umeh, the commissioner explained that Governor Chukwuma Soludo extended an invitation to the two leading global health donor institutions as part of his bid to fix the health sector challenges using foreign partnerships.
The commissioner said: “Foreign partners are very necessary and I commend Governor Soludo for attracting more partners in the health care system and soon, most of the hospitals in Anambra will have electronic medical records.
Human resource for health is another area that will be improved on through the employment of health personnel and we are going to create a task force to monitor quacks in pharmacies. Medical services and ambulance systems will be introduced so that when an emergency happens, the closest ambulance to the location will intervene.
Dr Obidike further disclosed that the plans of the ministry of health in the state have started drug revolving funds aimed at making drugs available at the right time and a cheaper rate, especially essential medications. “UNICEF, who are in partnership with Anambra State has brought a solar system which will be installed in some of the primary health care. We have a rapid and emergency response team and operating very functional centres”, he adds.
On the three cases of monkeypox recently discovered in Anambra, Dr Obidike said a lab test was conducted on the first patient which was positive.
“He was isolated and is doing very well and will be discharged soon. For the other two patients, the results are not yet out. We have been monitoring the people that came in contact with them and they are reporting to the hospital. All the hospitals in Anambra have been told to be vigilant”, he adds.
