SPARK team intensifies drive for increased stakeholder participation in dialogue session

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka

The SPARK II implementation team in Anambra State has intensified the drive for increased stakeholder participation in a dialogue session that is aimed at transforming Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) and Maternal and Child Healthcare (MCH) service delivery in the state.

The dialogue session which comes up on Thursday is part of the Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge (SPARK II) project in the state.

The project is implemented by the Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) Nnewi, alongside other networks of partners including the Community Empowerment Network (COMEN), and the Civil Rights Concern (CRC) with support from the International Budget Partnership (IBP).

The IBP SPARK II COMEN Consultant, Ugochi Ehiahurike, who led the courtesy call with the Anambra State Immunization Officer, Mrs. Edith Onwuka, explained that the dialogue would provide a collaborative platform for government officials, local health workers and representatives from women led groups and CSOs to have honest and informed conversation about the challenges existing at PHC facilities.

“By critically reviewing quarterly health budget performance, public financial management (PFM) data and service delivery outcomes, we aim to drive accountability, enhance transparency and foster system change within the PHC subsector,” she said.

Also speaking, the Programme Manager, SPARK II Project, JDPC Nnewi, Mr Onyekachi Ololo said the meeting would equally help to develop an ongoing mechanism for real time data sharing and stakeholder engagement for continuous improvement in service delivery.

According to Ololo, the one day programme is expected to be attended by 196 persons comprising Anambra State Healthcare Insurance Agency, Head of secondary healthcare providers, Officers in charge (OIC) of PHCs , Ward Development Committee (WDC), civil society, media and others.

He continued: “As partners, it is always important to key into the Programmes of the state, and where necessary give feedback in the form of field observation.

“Overall, we commend the state government for the award it received for its activities around primary healthcare development. Our Target is to consolidate on that by getting every stakeholder to key into it.”

Responding, Onwuka stressed the importance of addressing challenges in service delivery, particularly in immunization, maternal and child health, and other Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) activities.

She said the multi-stakeholder approach is crucial, as it brings together coordinators of health at the Local Government (LG) level. She said the coordinators play a vital role in advocating for primary healthcare at the local government level and can directly influence local government chairman, especially with the emergence of their autonomy.