By Christian ABURIME
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR has expressed strong commitment to partnering the federal government to adequately provide for the health needs of ndị Anambra, especially the poor, the down-trodden and the forgotten.
Governor Soludo stated this when the Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate paid a courtesy call on him at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.
The Minister is on a work visit to the state.
Governor Soludo appreciated the Minister for the great job he is doing, especially for recognizing that human capital is a critical part of development, to which health is the nucleus.
Governor Soludo who sadly reflected that the life expectancy of the average Nigerian is one of the lowest, pointed out that his administration is prioritising primary healthcare, to grant access and affordability to citizens who truly have need of it.
The Governor added that because of his administration’s targeted interventions in the sector, over 60,000 people have benefitted from its free antenatal care and delivery services and maintained that his government is intentionally prioritizing provision of portable water, sanitation, waste management for a greater number of ndị Anambra.
“I see room for partnership in this regard.”
“Strategic partnership along this chain will get it to work”, the Governor revealed.
While basking in his administration’s Public-Private-Community-Partnership, PPCP model, Governor Soludo called for a rethink of the mechanisms in delivering value to the people to ensure effectiveness and efficiency, through devolution of responsibilities.
“The programmes we implement here is not only for Anambra but for Nigeria.”
“When we assumed office, seventy eight percent of our people access healthcare through the private institutions, but today, as we are providing for their health needs, the number is decreasing”, he stressed.
Governor Soludo also spoke about the numerous health interventions by his administration including building of General Hospitals where they are needed, strengthening of the primary healthcare system across the 326 political wards of the state, ongoing construction of a pharmaceutical hub in Ogboji, among others expressing optimism that beyond being a drug distribution point, Anambra would become a drug manufacturing point which will ultimately enhance quality assurance.
The Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate commended Governor Soludo’s forthrightness in service delivery to ndị Anambra, having observed it from the proactiveness of the state health team and assured of deepening the synergy between Anambra state and the federal government, especially in the health sector.
He noted that because of Governor Soludo’s leadership, more people now have access to quality and affordable healthcare across the state and encouraged him to do more.
In attendance were the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, Special Adviser to the Governor on Medical and Pharmaceutical Matters, Dr Godwin Nnadozie, former Deputy Governor of Enugu state, Dr. Okechukwu Itanyi, Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Sir Ikenna, the Chief Medical Director of NAUTH, Prof Joseph Ugboaja, Chief Medical Director of COOUNTH, Dr. Joe Akabuike, Sir Emeka Offor, Ofordeme, among others.
