Chinedum Elekwachi
Stakeholders in health sector in Anambra state have identified inadequate and inexperienced manpower, insecurity as factors responsible for low patronage of primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in the state.
The stakeholders spoke at a meeting organized by Civil Rights Concern (CRC) in partnership with Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC) and Community Empowerment Network (COMEN), supported by the International Budget Partners.
The one-day engagement was aimed at reviewing PHC-Level budget releases and expenditures as well as maternal healthcare financial reports and facility-level data on PHCs.
Speaking, President General, Nagwu Development Union and Chairman, Anambra Town Union Council (ASTUC) Anambra Central, Prince Frank Nwegwu regretted lack of basic qualifications of certain OICs in the PHCs.
According to him, while some of those who brandish certificates lack cognitive experience, attitudes displayed by others in course of their duties are repulsive and antagonistic.
“Some bed attendants rarely apply courtesy while attending to patients. Some pregnant women hardly revisit the PHCs after their first experience,” he said.
Cascading meeting outcomes
Describing the engagement as crucial which offered participants opportunity to address several health management issues in the communities, Nwegwu stressed the need to cascade outcome to the grassroots.
Earlier, Executive Director, Civil Rights Concern (CRC), Okey Onyeka who lead the discussions advocated for stakeholders’ partnership with the government sector to meet certain critical needs in the PHCs facilities.
According to him, such synergy would encourage improved use of the facilities in the wards.
“The situation on equipment is not bad looking at the data from a few facilities that the office checked,” he added.
He urged the stakeholders to step down the discussions to their community people.
Executive Director, SIDEC, Ugochi Ehiahuruike said the meeting was to analyze the budget and its impact in the PHCs across the state.
Boosting patronage
“We also looked at patronage and how it can be boosted following observations that many residents patronize PHCs only during antenatal, but resort to TBAs or private hospitals during delivery.
The engagement is targeted at getting the community leaders, WDCs, COMEN, women groups involved in sensitizing pregnant women to utilize the PHCs and to hold duty bearers accountable by taking ownership of public goods and services,” she stressed.
ASTUC Secretary General, Women Wing, Lady Njide Anusi lamented lack of doctors identified lack of doctors in handling special cases as well as unhygienic environment as factors contributing to PHCs’ low patronage.
She called for government intervention, as well as close monitoring and supervision of the facilities by community leaders to ensure workers sit up to their responsibilities.
