Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Officers-in-charge of primary healthcare facilities and Ward Development Committees (WDCs) have been trained on improving maternal and child health service delivery in Anambra communities.
The capacity building workshop, held at the Onitsha North LGA, was organised as part of the Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge (SPARK II) project supported by the International Budget Partnership (IBP).
The project is implemented in the state by the Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) Nnewi, alongside other network of partners including the Community Empowerment Network (COMEN), and the Civil Rights Concern (CRC).
Speaking at the event, Mrs Ugochi Ehiahuruike, SPARK II COMEN Consultant, said the programme was to strengthen ward Development Committee (WDC) and the Officers in Charge (OICs) of facilities in all LGs across the state.
According to Ugochi, the objective was to promote 40 percent female representation in WDCs for inclusive decision-making and informed actions. She also said that the programme seeks to enhance communication to promote health awareness and build trust within communities.
She also said that it was to strengthen the OICs capacity in developing business plans tailored to the needs of the PHCs, ensuring timely and transparent financial retirement and providing adequate healthcare service delivery that meets the service needs of the citizens.
Ikengaonline reports that the training, which was held in collaboration with Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), exposed participants to their roles and responsibilities at facility, local government and agency level. They also had sessions on work plans development and retirements of Basic Healthcare Provisions Fund (BHCPF).
Rev Fr Ben Chima Okolo, the Director JDPC Nnewi, in a remark, reminded participants of their pivotal roles in the implementation, management, and accountability of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF). He said the fund is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s health financing reform and is aimed at ensuring universal health coverage for all, particularly the most vulnerable in the communities.
“As community leaders and health workers, you are uniquely positioned to rebuild trust, dispel misinformation, and foster a mindset shift that prioritises preventive care, immunization, and collective responsibilities for health outcomes.”
He reemphasised that Anambra State has the potential to be a model for other states in the country, demonstrating how effective collaboration, capacity building, and community ownership can transform healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr Ngozi Okeke, the Director Community Health Services at the ASPHCDA, reminded WDCs their roles as middlemen between community and OICs and urged them to collaborate more to improve standards and services at their health facilities.
Representative of the ASPHCDA Executive Secretary, Pharm. Chisom Uchem, emphasised the importance of collaboration among participants to enhance service delivery at their facilities.
She encouraged intensified sensitisation and campaigns to increase patronage of Primary Health Care centers. Uchem also stressed the crucial role of micro-plans and work plans in optimising the utilisation and retirements of basic health funds.
Earlier, JDPC SPARK Programmes Officer, Onyekachi Ololo, said the exercise has deepened relationship between community representatives and healthcare workers towards improving maternal and child healthcare.
“It was a vital step in empowering the participants to confront realities, leverage the opportunities, and address the challenges within the healthcare system,” he added.
