The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Anambra Chapter, has appealed to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to recruit more nurses and midwives to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes in the state.
Mrs Edith Onwuka, State Chairperson of NANNM, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Awka on Tuesday.
This is to mark the 2026 International Day of the Midwife.
The International Day of the Midwife is observed every May 5 to honour the lifesaving role of midwives as frontline guardians of maternal and newborn health and key responders in health emergencies.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “One Million More Midwives”.
She described nurses and midwives as the ‘heart of healthcare’, stressing the critical role they play in sustaining the health system.
While commending the Soludo administration for its investment in the sector, Onwuka noted that the government had employed about 1,000 nurses and midwives since assumption of office.
She also highlighted key interventions, including free antenatal and delivery services, which she said had helped reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
According to her, the upgrade and equipping of primary healthcare centres across the state have brought quality healthcare services closer to the people.
“We are happy to celebrate this day, especially with the progress recorded in the health sector under the present administration,” she said.
Onwuka further disclosed that the governor was recently honoured with the “Commonwealth of Nations Nurses Best Friendly Governors’ Award” in Abuja during the association’s African regional conference.
She reiterated the association’s commitment to supporting the state government in improving healthcare delivery.
