Strong Primary Healthcare Essential to Ending Maternal Deaths in Anambra, Health Commissioner Says
By Stanley Nwako
The Anambra State Government has reaffirmed its determination to eliminate preventable maternal deaths by strengthening primary healthcare services and improving access to quality medical care across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, made this known during a strategic meeting with the 21 Primary Health Care Directors from the state’s local government areas at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Awka.
The meeting focused on improving coordination, standardising healthcare delivery, and reinforcing professional responsibility among frontline health workers to enhance maternal and child healthcare services.
Dr. Obidike said the administration of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has continued to make significant investments in primary healthcare, describing it as the foundation of an effective healthcare system.
He disclosed that one of the key interventions introduced by the government is the provision of free ambulance services to ensure the timely referral of pregnant women and emergency cases from Primary Health Care Centres to higher level medical facilities.
According to the Commissioner, the initiative is helping to reduce delays in accessing emergency obstetric care, one of the leading causes of preventable maternal deaths.
He stressed that the fight against maternal mortality must begin at the primary healthcare level through quality antenatal care, early detection of high risk pregnancies, prompt referrals, and efficient emergency response.
Dr. Obidike maintained that no woman should lose her life during pregnancy or childbirth because of preventable complications, insisting that the state’s goal is to achieve zero maternal mortality.
He also urged healthcare workers to operate strictly within their professional responsibilities, noting that quality healthcare depends on every cadre of personnel performing its duties diligently and ethically.
The Commissioner called for uniform standards in implementing government health programmes across all Primary Health Care Centres to ensure consistency, equity, and quality service delivery throughout Anambra State.
He further directed the Primary Health Care Directors to strengthen supervision in their respective local government areas, promote accountability among healthcare workers, and intensify efforts aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes.
Speaking on behalf of the 21 Primary Health Care Directors, Dr. Chukwudi Njelita commended the Commissioner for his commitment to strengthening the state’s healthcare system.
He assured the Ministry of the directors’ continued support in implementing government health policies, improving supervision of Primary Health Care Centres, and working collectively to eliminate maternal mortality in Anambra State.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing health interventions, identified operational challenges, and outlined practical strategies for improving the quality and efficiency of primary healthcare services across the state’s 21 local government areas.
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