Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike says the State Ministry of Health will collaborate with the Anambra State Coalition of Civil Society Organisation Networks on Health to strengthen healthcare service delivery across the state.
ACOMIN is the National Network of Civil Society Organizations working on the prevention, treatment and mitigation of the impact of malaria, and the promotion of immunization and better nutrition in Nigeria.
Dr. Obidike explained that the administration of Gov. Charles Soludo is adopting a holistic approach in addressing health issues in the state and that is the reason his ministry has continued to engage relevant organisations, individuals to improve healthcare in the state.
The Commissioner said this when he received the Coalition of Civil Society Organisation Networks on Health during an advocacy visit in his office at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka, Anambra state. He commended them for helping the state to attract health interventions and facilitation of health programs across the state.
“The issue of under-staffing will soon be a thing of the past because the governor wants our people to be recipient of adequate and quality health care.
“I want to use this medium to thank our governor for employing no fewer than 300 medical personnel in our General Hospitals and we equally believe that very soon he will give approval for that of Primary Healthcare.’’
Dr. Obidike assured them that their collaborations will as well be extended to monitoring of government owned health facilities, so as to complement the effort of the State Hospital Task Force team.
Collaborative efforts
Prof. Dennis Aribodor, leader of the team, South East Zonal Coordinator of ACOMIN said that the purpose of their visit is to seek for the collaboration from the commissioner.
“We are a coalition of Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Networks on Health in Anambra State. Members of the CSO Networks comprises of Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Tuberculosis Network and Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS.
“In these three networks are over 100 registered and credible organisations including Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community based Organisations and Faith Based Organisation.
“Members of the networks are credible CSOs who have garnered wealth of experience in health related interventions in the state.
“We want to inform you that over the past five years, these NGOs have successfully implemented many verifiable health related projects that include, Global Fund New Funding Model on TB, Save One Million Lives (SOML), and National Homegrown School Feeding Programme.”
Prof. Aribodor appealed to the commissioner to look into the issue of under-staffing across the Primary Health Centres, as well as the high cost of drugs.
He appreciated the commissioner for his warm reception, accepting to work with them so as to strengthen the healthcare sector of the state.
Emmanuel Ukoh
