The Nigerian Government has strengthened maternal and newborn healthcare delivery in Anambra State with the provision of essential medical equipment aimed at enhancing emergency healthcare services and reducing preventable deaths among mothers and newborns.
The support, provided under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) programme, is designed to improve the capacity of selected health facilities to deliver comprehensive emergency maternal and newborn care.
According to a statement by the Anambra State Government, the equipment was received on behalf of the state by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, at the Central Medical Store of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka.
Obidike described the support as a major boost to healthcare delivery and commended the Federal Government and the SWAp programme for strengthening emergency obstetric and newborn care services.
He said the equipment would complement the continued investment of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s administration in the health sector and assured them that the items would be properly installed, maintained and effectively deployed to improve healthcare outcomes across the state.
The Anambra State SWAp Desk Officer, Dr Obi Chioma, said the intervention was targeted at reducing maternal and newborn mortality by improving hospitals’ capacity to manage emergency obstetric cases and newborn complications.
She said the supplied equipment included delivery beds, delivery couches, laryngoscopes, refrigerators, blood storage systems, phototherapy machines, radiant warmers, incubators and other essential medical devices required for safe childbirth and newborn care.
Dr Chioma added that the equipment would strengthen healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities, by supporting safer deliveries and improving the management of newborn complications.
The beneficiary facilities are General Hospital Nnobi, General Hospital Enugwu-Ukwu, General Hospital Umueri, General Hospital Ekwulobia and General Hospital Umunze, covering the three senatorial districts of the state.
Representatives of the beneficiary hospitals received the equipment for immediate deployment, expressing confidence that the support would contribute to reducing avoidable maternal and neonatal deaths.
The distribution exercise was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr Obiageli Uchebo; Chief Medical Officers of beneficiary hospitals, including Dr Dozie Udeolisa; and other senior health officials.
The Federal Government of Nigeria said the intervention forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly maternal and child health services.
Improving access to emergency obstetric and newborn care remains critical to reducing preventable deaths, promoting safer deliveries and advancing the country’s health development goals.
