SPARK II: Health champions brainstorm on strengthening maternal health in Anambra

Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka

Stakeholders in Anambra State have taken a strategic step towards improving maternal and child healthcare service delivery in primary healthcare centers (PHCs).

A one-day maternal Health Champions Meeting was held last weekend to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services across PHCs in the state.

The meeting featured a training program for Ward Development Committees (WDCs), widows, and single mothers to become Maternal Health Champions.

The initiative, spearheaded by Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) Nnewi, Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), Community Empowerment Network (COMEN), and Civil Rights Concern (CRC), under Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge (SPARK 2) project, targets the bridging of gaps in healthcare access, particularly for pregnant women seeking care at nearby Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs).

Ugochi Agalaba-Ehiahuruike, Executive Director of Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC) and IBP Consultant, noted that through the empowerment, the Maternal Health Champions are expected to become pivotal links between communities and healthcare facilities.

She said they will also foster awareness, reduce barriers, and encourage timely utilization of maternal health services.

“The training of Ward Development Committees (WDCs), COMEN, widows, and single mothers as Maternal Health Champions is a strategic step toward bridging gaps in healthcare access, particularly for pregnant women seeking care at nearby Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).

“Through this empowerment, we envision these champions becoming pivotal links between communities and healthcare facilities, fostering awareness, reducing barriers, and encouraging timely utilization of maternal health services. Their roles can catalyze positive change, touching lives of mothers and contributing to healthier families and communities.”

The JDPC Director Rev. Fr. Chima Okolo, emphasized the importance of inclusive and community-driven healthcare delivery, noting that the program’s focus on gender and intersectionality would ensure that no voice is left unheard and no citizen is left behind in accessing quality healthcare service in all PHCs.

“Today’s meeting is not just another activity—it is a bold step in the system shift that we all seek in Anambra State’s Primary Healthcare system.

‘The vision of SPARK II is clear: to strengthen maternal and child health (MCH) service delivery through inclusive, accountable, and community-driven engagement at our Primary Health Centres (PHCs).

“At the heart of this effort is the recognition that healthcare is not one-size-fits-all. That is why the gender and intersectionality design of this program matters.

“We acknowledge that women, young girls, men, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups experience health services differently.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that no voice is left unheard, and no citizen is left behind in accessing quality healthcare.”

JDPC SPARK II Program Manager, Onyekachi Ololo, said the healthcare champion meeting brings together those who will stand at the frontline of change – community champions, system advocates, and accountability actors who will bridge the gap between policy, service delivery, and community needs.

He said the maternal Health Champions will serve as pivotal links between communities and healthcare facilities, fostering awareness, reducing barriers, and encouraging timely utilization of maternal health services.

Ololo added that the community-led initiative aims to improve maternal and child healthcare service delivery through accountability, gender inclusion, and citizen participation.