The Anambra State Government, in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other development partners, has launched a four-day workshop to develop a costed five-year health promotion plan.
The workshop, held in Awka from August 10–13, aims to establish a coordinated, locally tailored framework for health promotion, strengthen public awareness and support the implementation of Nigeria’s National Strategic Framework on Health Promotion and Communication at the state level.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr Afam Anaeme, said effective health education and communication remain critical to improving health outcomes and reducing preventable illnesses and deaths.
He noted that fragmented health promotion efforts by government programmes and development partners had weakened public messaging, making it crucial to establish a unified strategy that would ensure residents receive accurate, timely and consistent health information.
Obidike stressed the need to empower citizens with the knowledge required to make informed health decisions and seek prompt medical care, particularly during emergencies.
“While prayer is important, it should not replace appropriate medical intervention, especially during emergencies. Such incidents underscore the need for sustained health education so that people understand the importance of following qualified medical advice,” he said.
Also speaking, a consultant with the WHO’s Advancing Integrated Health Services for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Communicable Diseases Project, Mr Olumide Adetioye, said fragmented health promotion efforts had resulted in inefficiencies, inconsistent messaging and limited impact on population health outcomes.
According to him, the workshop is designed to strengthen coordination among government institutions and development partners while promoting evidence-based programming and more effective health communication strategies across Anambra State.
He expressed confidence that the implementation plan would provide a structured roadmap for delivering integrated health promotion interventions over the next five years.
The workshop brings together officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Health, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, WHO experts and other stakeholders to develop practical strategies for improving health promotion and communication in the state.
The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s primary healthcare system through improved health promotion, coordinated public health communication and increased community awareness, in line with the country’s drive towards universal health coverage and better health outcomes.
