Anambra Residents To Benefit From Expanded Sexual And Reproductive Health Services
By Chibuzo Obidike
Residents of Aguata, Idemili South and Ogbaru Local Government Areas of Anambra State are set to benefit from expanded access to integrated sexual and reproductive health services and communicable disease interventions under a project being implemented by Jhpiego in partnership with the Malaria Eradication and Safe Health Initiative of Nigeria, MESHI.
The Programme Manager of MESHI, Chioma Anagbogu, said the initiative was designed to improve access to accurate sexual and reproductive health information and quality healthcare services, while promoting the prevention and management of communicable diseases.
She explained that the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and Communicable Diseases, SRHR/CD, Project is funded by the Global Fund through the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme, NASCP, and is being implemented by Jhpiego across Anambra, Ebonyi, Kwara and Gombe States.
In Anambra, the project is being implemented across 15 health facilities and surrounding communities in Aguata, Idemili South and Ogbaru Local Government Areas.
According to Anagbogu, the project will strengthen the integration of health services at Primary Healthcare Centres, enabling residents to access multiple healthcare services through a coordinated and client friendly approach.
She added that the initiative would promote awareness of sexual and reproductive health rights, support the health and wellbeing of women, adolescents and young people, and educate communities on the importance of the Human Papillomavirus, HPV, vaccine in preventing cervical cancer.
The project will also raise awareness about family planning, sexually transmitted infections, STIs, and gender based violence, while encouraging individuals to seek timely counselling, screening, treatment, referrals and other available healthcare services.
The Programme Officer of MESHI, Ogechukwu Onyejedum, urged residents in the benefiting communities to visit the nearest participating Primary Healthcare Centre to obtain accurate information and access available health services.
Also speaking, the Community Engagement Officer, Adaobi Eziuzo, encouraged residents to make full use of the services available at health centres whenever they visit for medical attention.
She explained that residents visiting a health facility for one health concern could also enquire about other services available at the centre, including family planning, sexual and reproductive health services, screening and other healthcare interventions.
Eziuzo stressed the importance of asking health workers about the range of services available at healthcare facilities, noting that informed choices and preventive healthcare could help individuals and families make better decisions about their wellbeing.
She also appreciated the media for its support towards the success of the SRHR/CD project and called for continued collaboration in taking vital health information to communities.
The Chairperson of the UNIZIK FM Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Dr. Chika Nnabuife, called on journalists to play a more active role in disseminating accurate information about available healthcare services to the public.
Nnabuife said the collaboration between Jhpiego, MESHI and journalists was important because media practitioners require accurate information to effectively counter misinformation and disinformation in society.
She noted that the integration of healthcare services was particularly important, as many members of the public remain unaware of the wide range of services available at public Primary Healthcare Centres.
According to her, the perception that public health centres are meant only for poor people is misplaced, as residents can access several essential healthcare services in one facility.
She therefore urged journalists to support the dissemination of accurate information on integrated healthcare services and ensure that important health messages reach the people who need them most.
The project is expected to contribute to improved access to quality healthcare services, increased public awareness and stronger community participation in sexual and reproductive health and communicable disease prevention across the benefiting areas of Anambra State.
