LG chairmen urged to prioritize quality PHCs in Anambra communities

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka

Newly elected local government chairmen in Anambra State have been called to give priority attention to Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) towards ensuring quality healthcare delivery in their council areas.

The Coalition of Civil Society Networks on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM Network) made the call during a media briefing on the ATM Anambra State Global Fund, GC-7/C19RM/RSSH project in the state.

The group said proper functioning of the healthcare centres will ensure that citizens at the grassroots have access to quality healthcare services.

They also said by prioritizing care of PHCs, council chairmen can complement efforts and contribute to the overall well-being of their constituents.

The Global Fund, GC-7/C19RM/RSSH project is implemented in Anambra by the ATM Network in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) through the COVID-19 Response Mechanism/Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (C19RM) grant.

The project is aimed at addressing health system gaps and improving health outcomes by integrating communities and civil society organizations into healthcare responses.

Ify Unachukwu, Coordinator of TB Network in Anambra, at the meeting, presented a progress report highlighting the project’s remarkable achievements in 15 Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) across five local government areas, including Awka North, Idemili North, Njikoka, Onitsha North, and Orumba North.

Unachukwu said within the second half of 2024, the ATM Network has attracted philanthropists that installed equipment, repaired leaking roofs, replaced toilet facilities, and built a culvert to improve access to the Uruogbo PHC in Enugwu Ukwu.

She said the intervention has led to the repair of roof, ceiling, and piping at Abagana ward 4 PHC by community, and that their efforts equally led to the allocation of constituency projects for upgrade of Osuma PHC, Onitsha; and Immanuel Church PHC respectively by state Assembly members.

Continuing, Unachukwu said Amaokpala people donated a new gate and water equipment at their ward 1 PHC, while in Model PHC, Obosi, the community members contributed to infrastructure improvements, including roof repairs and new clinic beds. 

She said people of Nanka donated ceiling and standing fans for use in Nanka Ward 2 PHC and Akuzor PHC Nkpor, while in Mgbakwu PHC, villagers donated a brand new generator, and installed mosquito nets.

Unachukwu, however, emphasized the need to scale-up evidence-based interventions like Community-Led Monitoring, urging governments to consider implementing their innovative service delivery models  to ensure continuity of care for PHCs particularly in rural areas.

A public health expert and parasitologist, Prof. Dennis Aribodor, in his speech, urged the newly elected council Chairmen
to key into the groups innovative model to reposition failing PHCs in their localities.

“This is one of the things the newly elected LG chairmen can help to do with the allocated funds. They can provide solutions to some of the problems of the PHCs. What we are doing under this project cannot solve the problem of all the PHCs in Anambra. We are only carrying out the intervention in 15 pilot PHCs but with government collaboration, the entire PHCs in the state can be touched,” he said.

State Coordinator of the Civil Society Network in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Chioma Okeke, stated that a comprehensive approach is essential to addressing barriers to TB, HIV, Malaria, and Gender-Based Violence. She also stressed the crucial need for strengthened infrastructure, secured financial resources, renewed political commitment from leaders to PHCs.

Onyekachi Ololo, the state Programmes Officer for the TB Network’s C19RM/RSSH project said they have employed a Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) approach built on the principles of community engagement, participation, and ownership.

According to Ololo, “The government can significantly enhance sustainability by adopting and scaling up the C19RM/RSSH model, as the outcomes from community-led healthcare initiatives are unequivocal.”