Stakeholders advocate increased collaboration to improve maternal care in Anambra

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka

Stakeholders in the healthcare sector have called for increased collaboration and coordination among government actors, healthcare providers, and community leaders to improve maternal healthcare delivery in Anambra State.

They made the call during a strategic dialogue and reflection meeting organised by the Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC Nnewi) in collaboration with Community Empowerment Network (COMEN) and Civil Right Concern (CRC) partnered by the ministry of health in the state.

Ikengaonline reports that the one-day multi-stakeholder meeting was part of the Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge (SPARK II) project implemented by the JDPC and the network of partners in the state.

Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike urged nurses in various healthcare centers to improve their performance in order to enhance healthcare delivery in the state. 

Obidike said the state government is committed to making Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) functional, with general hospitals now established in all 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs). 

He said the general hospitals now serve as hubs for the state’s innovative telemedicine services, noting the need for healthcare officials to collaborate with one another for effective implementation of the state’s health Programmes.

Executive Secretary of Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Pharm. Chisom Uchem said that the state government was committed to reducing maternal mortality rates, but that achieving the goal required the support and collaboration of all stakeholders.

Uchem emphasized the importance of functional Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in providing quality maternal healthcare services, noting that the state government has made significant investments in upgrading the infrastructure and equipment of PHCs, training healthcare personnel, and implementing innovative programs to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.

Chairman Local Government Supervisory Councillors, Dr Nkem Okeke emphasized the importance of collaboration and community engagement in enhancing healthcare delivery. He noted that Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) are crucial in providing quality healthcare services, especially in rural areas.

 

He urged Ward Development Committees (WDCs) to strive to bridge gaps between healthcare workers and community members, and added that they must take up their roles in mobilizing stakeholders to address PHC challenges.  

During her presentation entitled: “Enhancing Understanding of System Change in MCH Service Delivery and Budget Analysis,” Mrs Ugochi Ehiahuruike, IBP SPARK II COMEN Consultant, Ugochi Ehiahurike said health sector remains one of the most critical in the government’s blueprint agenda, but regretted that allocation to the health sector has consistently fallen short of the Abuja declaration’s 10 percent benchmark.

presenting the data, Ugochi said the state’s health sector, in 2021, received N10.1 billion, which was 7.1% of the total budget of N143.6 billion. The following year, she said the allocation decreased to 6.79% of the total budget. 

Ugochi said the sector, in 2023 received 4.28% of the total budget, while in 2024, received 5.47%. She also said in 2025, the health sector’s allocation is N35.3 billion, which is 5.82% of the total budget of N606.9 billion.

Executive Director of Civil Rights Concern (CRC), Okey Onyeka presented a quarterly budget performance of the Health Ministry for the purpose of transparency and accountability. 

Onyeka called on citizens to familiarize themselves with the resources at the disposal of the government for constructively engagement with the duty bearers, charged members of Community Empowerment Network (COMEN) and WDCs to work assiduously towards bridging the gaps in government efforts and interventions in the sector.

Earlier, Director of JDPC Nnewi, Rev Fr Ben Okolo, explained that the SPARK 2 project is dedicated to advancing Maternal and Child Healthcare (MCH) and enhancing service delivery at Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) throughout the state.

He said the objective was to enhance system change, address access barriers, strengthen financial oversight, co-create inclusive solutions and establish sustainable communication for effective service delivery.