WHO, ASPHCDA Seek Stronger Partnership to Improve Primary Healthcare in Anambra
By Chibuzor Okoye | IchieTimes
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Anambra State Government to improve primary healthcare delivery, expand immunisation coverage and increase access to quality healthcare services across the state.
The commitment was reiterated during an advocacy visit by the WHO South-East Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu, and his team to the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) at its office complex in Awka.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Igboekwu said the engagement was aimed at strengthening the existing partnership between WHO and the state’s health sector, particularly through the revitalisation of the State Primary Healthcare Task Force on Primary Healthcare and Immunisation.
He emphasised the need to inaugurate and periodically reactivate the task force to ensure continuity, effective coordination and the inclusion of new members as changes occur within the health system.
According to him, the task force serves as an important platform for advocacy, strategic oversight and improved coordination of primary healthcare and immunisation activities.
Dr. Igboekwu commended the Anambra State Government, under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, for its investments in healthcare infrastructure and ongoing health sector reforms. He noted that the state’s achievements were reflected in its performance at the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge Awards in 2024 and 2025.
In his remarks, the WHO Anambra State Coordinator, Dr. Bonos Mohammed, outlined the organisation’s areas of intervention in the state, including polio eradication, routine immunisation, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation and control, emergency preparedness, and the promotion of public health and well-being.
Dr. Mohammed reaffirmed WHO’s readiness to continue supporting the state in strengthening its health system, stressing the importance of effective oversight and accountability in immunisation programmes.
He added that regular supportive supervision and sustained commitment from ASPHCDA would be critical to improving programme performance and health outcomes.
Responding, the Executive Secretary of ASPHCDA, Dr. Chizoba Ezeasor, appreciated the WHO delegation for its continued partnership, technical support and contributions to improving the health and well-being of residents.
She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working closely with WHO and other development partners to strengthen primary healthcare services across Anambra State.
Dr. Ezeasor added that ASPHCDA remained committed to ensuring that primary healthcare centres were accessible, functional, responsive to community needs and adequately positioned to deliver essential health services.
