Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State has expressed a strong commitment in partnering with the federal government to adequately provide for the health needs of Anambra people, especially the poor, the down-trodden and the Vulnerable.
Soludo expressed 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 on Tuesday.
The Minister was on a working visit to the state.
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.
He, however, sadly reflected that the life expectancy of the average Nigerian is one of the lowest, and pointed out that his administration is prioritising primary healthcare, to grant access and affordability to citizens who truly have need of it.
He said 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.
He added: “I see room for partnership in this regard.
Strategic partnership along this chain will get it to work”.
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.
He said: “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, and ongoing construction of a pharmaceutical hub in Ogboji, among others
He expressed optimism that beyond being a drug distribution point, Anambra would become a drug manufacturing point which will ultimately enhance quality assurance.
The Minister in his response commended 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.
The Minister was received the Chief Medical Director of NAUTH, Prof Joseph Ugboaja, Chief Medical Director of COOUTH, Dr. Joe Akabuike, Sir Emeka Offor, 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, among others#
