Chinedum Treasure
Agency groups have solicited support and co-operation of Ministry of Health for successful implementation of the Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge, (SPARK 2) Project in Anambra State.
The groups, including the Community Empowerment Network, COMEN, the Justice Development and Peace Carits (JDPC) Nnewi and the Civil Rights Concern, (CRC), made the call during an advocacy visit to the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, to seek the buy-in of the ministry, which they described as critical for the success of SPARK 2 project in the area.
One of them and COMEN Consultant (SPARK Project), Ugochi Ehiahuruike explained that the project, supported by the International Budget Partnership (IBP), was aimed at improving maternal and child health services which are critical components of primary healthcare.
She said, “Women, girls, and marginalized and minority communities, including persons with disabilities, often face significant barriers in accessing healthcare services.
“By improving maternal and child health services, we can create a ripple effect that enhances overall healthcare delivery and equity, reduces maternal and neonatal mortality rates, improves healthcare-seeking behavior among women and girls, and ultimately fosters a healthier population.
“SPARK 2 project was conceived to enhance maternal and child health services, promote inclusive health policies, as well as improve healthcare accessibility by addressing physical, informational, and systemic barriers to accessing maternal and child health services through holistic implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and Midwives Service Scheme (MSS) in the state.
“The project also seeks increased awareness and education of healthcare providers and the public about the specific needs and rights of marginalized and minority communities in maternal and child health and to strengthen health services delivery.
“We cherish access to information on what the ministry with the agency is doing with respect to maternal health care services in Anambra State. We are also looking at how can contribute our quota to bridge the gaps between the patients, the officers in charge and ward development committees.
“We plan to train the OICs but we do not have the expertise to do that on our own. We will source resource persons from the ministry and agency. With the number of activities we are coming up with, we need to work with government to reach greater number of people with the overall goal of promoting healthier Anambra.”
SPARK Program Manager at the Justice Development and Peace Carits (JDPC) Nnewi, Onyekachi Ololo, acknowledged that in comparison with other states, Anambra State is doing well in the area of health especially maternal health.
“We see that greater number of women now visit PHCs because of the free ante natal and delivery services. But we think that we need to up our game. Due to the tendency of increased patronage, we should intentional guard against out of stock syndrome in the supply of drugs and other essentials.
“We want to see how government programmes and interventions are affecting maternal and child health. Anywhere we see challenge concerning maternal and child health service delivery in the state, we will like that you welcome us to share them with you,” Ololo said even as he commended the improvement and reform in the reconstitution of Ward Development Committees.
“We commend the reforms but we will like to draw your attention to the BHCPF guideline which stipulates that 60 percent male and 40 percent female must be in WDCs. We solicit adherence to this so that the composition will be inclusive with persons with disabilities.
“We also ask that you welcome our monitoring and evaluation outcomes from various communities through COMEN and WDC members we are engaging in the SPARK 2 project,” Ololo requested.
Responding, Commissioner for Health, Dr Obidike decried the corruption that characterized the work of the WDCs at the inception of the current administration.
“That was why we dissolved them and initiated measures to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund with the introduction of local government monitoring teams which supervise the PHCs on a regular basis.
“We are still trying to address some infrastructural and human resource challenges before we inaugurate the new WDCs. We are also addressing the problem of access to health care services by persons with disabilities.
“We are providing ramps in the facilities we are building now and even the old ones because anyone can become disabled at any point in life,” he added.
On the issue free antenatal and delivery services, Obidike debunked allegation of inadequate supply of drugs and essential equipment.
“The practice is that immediately you finish, you alert and you get the next supply. We know that many health workers do not appreciate the free antenatal and delivery services and that is why we mandated every facility to display the numbers citizens can call when they have complaints about the services at the PHCs. We take the matter up promptly. I suspended people in Ekwulobia for these corrupt practices.”
Acknowledging challenges in the implementation of the free antenatal and delivery services, the commissioner said, “There is nothing one can do on earth that will be hundred percent perfect. There could be challenges here and there but we are gradually addressing that.
“In terms of people overworking, we have recruited 500 health workers specifically for that reason. They are going to start distributing letters to them any time from now. We are doing monthly training and retraining both online and physical.”
SPARK 2 project will be implemented in 24 communities, in 6 local government areas across the 3 senatorial districts of Anambra State.