WHO, Anambra State In Partnership For Universal Health Coverage – Commissioner

Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike has assured the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the state would continue to partner with them so as to achieve the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the state.

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In a statement released by Chukwudi Nwauba, the public relations officer of the Health ministry, Dr. Obidike gave the assurance when the new State Coordinator of WHO, Dr. Bonos Mohammed with his team paid him a courtesy visit at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka.

“We are grateful to your predecessor, Dr. A, Adamu who through his wealth of experience helped us to make serious progress within his short stay in the state.

“I assure you that we will work together to achieve the goals of WHO, ours too just feel at home and enjoy our hospitality.’’

The commissioner informed the new Coordinator that the administration of Governor Charles Soludo is interested in ensuring that the public has access to quality and affordable healthcare services especially those in the hard to reach areas of the state.

“Currently indigenes and non-indigenes are benefiting from the free antenatal, free delivery services that started last year and the governor while making the pronouncement extended the free antenatal and free delivery till the end of his tenure.

“Is it the recruitment of healthcare workers in his first year in office; we are also recruiting no fewer than 500 health workers into the State Primary Healthcare system all geared toward improving the healthcare delivery across the state.

“We still need the support of WHO in this area, cancer screening and treatment, nutrition, technical support and disease prevention.

“Also as a responsible and concerned government we will soon complete the ongoing upgrading of 3 General Hospitals across three senatorial zones and we are also building 5 new General hospitals.

The Commissioner noted that the state benefited hugely from WHO appealing to the new Coordinator to assist the state with his vast experience in surveillance.

Earlier, Dr. Bonos Mohammed commended the commissioner for his leadership style and commitment in the health sector.

Dr. Mohammed said WHO will always support the state while noting down the commissioner’s request.

“I want to thank you for the opportunity to have this fruitful discussion with you notwithstanding that the notice came late.’’