JDPC Makes Case for Efficient Healthcare Service Delivery in Anambra Rural Areas

By Praise Chinecherem

Director, Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Nnewi, Anambra State, Rev Fr. Ben Okolo has urged officers in charge of primary healthcare centres and members of Ward Development Committees (WDCs) in the State to work towards improved efficient healthcare services delivery at the grassroots.

Okolo, gave the charge during a Capacity Strengthening Workshop organized in collaboration with Community Development Network, COMEN, and Civil Right Concern, CRC, under the Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knolwedge, SPARK 2 project, supported by International Budget Partnership, IBP, for OICs and WDC chairpersons from Anambra North Senatorial District.

According the Director, the event reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the primary health care system in Anambra state with maternal and child health care as entry point for broader system-wide improvements.

He argued that Anambra has the potential to become a model for other states in the country demonstrating how effective collaboration, capacity building and community ownership can transform healthcare delivery.

“So, let’s chart a genuine course forward. Let us commit to leveraging this platform to strengthen our healthcare system, empower our communities and deliver better health outcomes for every citizen,” he said.

For the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Chisom Uchem, represented by Director, PHC, Onitsha South Local Government Health Authority, Chizoba Igboekweze, the training is invaluable for the OICs and WDCs chairpersons.

“I appreciate the organizers for this intervention which is a boost to what we are already doing. When these the OICs and WDCs relate well and discharge their roles and responsibilities as expected, it will impact the general health outcomes of the state.

“The WDCs are to intervene when the PHCs are not doing well or their communities are not responding well to their responsibilities. That way, community ownership of facilities will be possible,” she added.

Director, Community Health Services of the agency and Director PHC, Awka South Local Government Health Authority, Dr Ngozi Okeke, in a presentation on “Maternal Health in Anambra State: Current Status, Challenges and Solutions”, noted that there have been huge improvement in maternal health especially with the introduction of the free ANC and delivery programme.

She however listed the challenges that remain to include infrastructural decay, distance of facilities, workforce shortage and brain drain.

“I know that Government is tackling those challenges by building facilities in underserved areas and renovating many as we speak.

“However, there is still need to empower local health workers. We need to leverage technology such as telemedicine which is coming up in the state. Another critical solution is advocating for gender equity.

“Reducing maternal mortality is a shared responsibility and Government needs to sustain investment in the health sector,” she said.

The IBP SPARK COMEN Consultant for the project, Ugochi Ehiahuruike, had earlier noted that the workshop is to assist the government in ensuring smooth implementation of its programmes and policies especially those targeted at improved maternal and child health.

“SPARK 2 looks at improved ensuring improved maternal care with BCHPF as our entry point. We want to see the OICs understanding certain things and improve the services you render to the citizens. Health is a professional service and humanitarian service. Empathize with your patients and make the happier and better than they came.

“For members of WDCs, work assiduously for more functional facilities in your various communities. This is service to humanity and you need to approach it with selflessness. See it as a call to serve God and humanity in your communities. We want both OICs and WDC chairpersons to go back and share the knowledge with others in your facilities and communities,” she stated.

In a remark, JDPC Nnewi SPARK Program Manager, Onyekachi Ololo, described the capacity building session as part of the overall strategic approach towards achieving a systemic shift in primary healthcare service delivery.

“Beyond the improvement of relationships between the OICs with their WDCs, they will be well equipped with the right information, knowledge, and skills to provide adequate health care services at the primary healthcare centers for better healthcare outcomes.

“Since maternal and child healthcare is the entry point for the SPARK II project, all stakeholders must ensure that the PHCs serve this category of people wearing the gender and Intersectionality lenses.

“The training module presented here will serve as a refresher course for the old OICs and WDCs, and provide the requisite knowledge for the new ones,” Okolo said.

The workshop ended with participants committing to playing their assigned roles dutifully in the interest of their people and for improved healthcare indices in the State.