By Chuka Nnabuife|ANCISRO
WITHIN the last three years, there has been damning epidemics in such diseases as Lassa fever, monkeypox, cholera in several states of Nigeria. All of the diseases rattled states around Anambra, took some lives but none in Anambra.
The laurels Anambra State’s Gov. Chukwuma Charles Soludo received this week in the area of healthcare are fit and proper recognitions of his government’s grand feats in the sector.
Under the governor’s stead, Anambra State has not only excelled beyond other states of Nigeria in the area of providing health infrastructure, epidemiological alertness, infant and maternal care provision but equally in health sector human resources training and engagement.
Among the state’s heartwarming stories in the life-saving and nurturing sector are the significant strides in healthcare provision, marked-up glocal ratings and health tourism boost. Very noticeable is the governor’s deliberately achieved feats in the industry. Most of his records in healthcare were set forward, early, upon inception of his administration.
Among Gov. Soludo’s s remarkable achievements in the sector is the recruitment of about 250 medical personnel, comprising 46 medical officers, 10 medical consultants, 138 nurses, 25 pharmacists, and others, to run government medical facilities.
Less than three years into his reign he upgraded three of Anambra’s general hospitals in Ekwulobia, Aguata local government area (LGA), Enugwu-Ukwu, Njikoka LGA and Umueri, Anambra East, LGA.
Across the state, he established 30 centers for cervical cancer screening and treatment. For the prevention of malaria, the government shared 3.8 million mosquito nets to all homes.
Soludo declared free medicare in government hospitals to all pregnant women resident (natives and non-natives) in all Anambra government-owned hospitals. This, he later extended include free ante-natal and post-natal treatments.
While working on the establishment of a mega drugs’ market hub in Ogbọji, Aguata LGA, the governor plumbs further to improve healthcare delivery. There is a Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) in Anambra State’s hospitals. The state also established an Emergency Response Team that successfully contained such diseases as the monkeypox outbreak in some parts of the state.
Establishment of Emergency Medical Services is another notable achievement of Soludo’s government in the health sector. Through the State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Systems (SEMSAS) government’s medics provide quick medical attention in emergency situations across the state.
At the General Hospital, Onitsha, there is now a fully functional Endoscopy Unit to improve diagnostic and treatment services.
Similarly, there are newly established, well-equiped Dental Units have been established at the general hospitals of Enugwu-Ukwu, Umueri, and Ekwulobia.
Not many may know that around the South East zone of Nigeria, Anambra State is a major destination for medical oxygen production. Aside the earlier established oxygen plant in Awka, Soludo’s government has embarked on the construction of a medical oxygen production plant at the General Hospital, Onitsha
While building vital health facilities and employing experts to man them the government is keen on checking quackery in the medical profession. Hence the establishment of a hospital accreditation agency. The Anambra State Hospital Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (ASHEFAMAA) therefore came to being for the purpose.
Anambra now has hematology analysers. The analysers have been deployed to the Laboratory Department of General Hospitals in Agulu and Nnobi to enhance laboratory services.
Beyond these, there is a renewed zeal for further training and skills’ improvement course among the state’s health professionals while there are regular checks for fake drugs and untoward practices in the state’s markets and streets.
Beyond the awards Anambra State won at the National Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge which all the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) competed in being adjudged, Best State in the Nigeria in the sector as well as Best State in Southeast means a lot to Ndị Anambra.
It is worth a lot more than the cheques of $500,000 (five hundred thousand dollars) and the $700,000 (Seven hundred thousand dollars) issued by the collective of Nigeria Governor’s Forum; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Aliko Dangote Foundation; Federal Ministry of Health; and UNICEF.
The honour is a very laudable recognition and commendation of Anambra’s consistent concern for her natives and residents. It is especially, a loudly fired canon of praise to Gov. Soludo’s keenness for healthcare since the state came under his watch.
- Nnabuife is the Managing Director of Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office, ANCISRO
