Chinedum Elekwachi
Stakeholders in the health sector have identified coordination engagement as critical platform capable of creating actionable strategies towards addressing challenges faced by Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Anambra state.
Rising from a one-day coordination meeting in Awka for improved services in health sector, the stakeholders emphasized the need to deepen collaboration with development partners and government to strengthen PHCs.
Participants came from Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) Ministry of Health, Ward Development Committees (WDCs) Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
Speaking during the program, Executive Director, Civil Rights Concern (CRC), Okey Onyeka stressed the importance of active engagement of stakeholders and ensuring proper coordination.
He said the meeting targeted identifying gaps, ensuring adequate funding and strengthening the ability of PHCs to respond effectively to public health services.
“Coordination meeting is to help in planning activities in an organisation, in government sector or primary health care level to support the staff of local governments primary health centers,” he said.
One of the participants, Director, Primary Healthcare, Awka North, Dr Chukwudi Njelita called on government to develop an action plan aimed at closing identified gaps.
Annual operational plan
Highlighting the need for regular meetings, Arthur Iwuanya of the Tax Justice and Governance Platform suggested provision for annual operational plan to facilitate the exercise.
The forum further identified some of the challenges affecting PHCs to include inadequate personnel, lack of equipment and short supply of consumables.
It called for urgent intervention measures focusing on strengthening PHCs services to respond effectively to free child delivery policy of government.
