Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has urged community leaders to take ownership of primary healthcare system to reduce maternal and infant mortality as well as increase life expectancy of Nigerians.
Soludo who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim made the call at the First Quarter Review Meeting of South East Traditional Rulers’ Committe on Primary Healthcare Delivery, in Awka.
The review meeting was organised by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).
The Governor lamented that Nigeria’s health indices were still unacceptably high, and required deliberate efforts to improve them.
“Primary healthcare is a gateway to achieving optimal healthcare for all. If given adequate attention, it will
cater to more than 80 per cent of an individual’s health care needs throughout his or her life.
“But It is sad that our primary healthcare system is facing lots of challenges which is contributing to Nigeria’s poor health indices, including high maternal and child mortality, as well as poor life expectancy.
“Our communities and individuals need to take ownership of primary health because the foreign donors and the federal government will not always be here to help us all the time.
“We need to critically look at infrastructure development and human capacity to get it right with our health system,” he said.
Soludo said that his administration would continue to intensify efforts at developing strong health system in the state.
In his address, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, said that community leaders were gatekeepers who had unique position to promote health-seeking behaviour.
Shuaib who was represented by Dr Bassey Okposen, Director, Disease Control and Immunisation, said the meeting showed the agency’s unwavering commitment to strengthening primary healthcare and improving health outcomes in the South East region.
“Your Majesties, your role as advocates for the health sector is paramount. We respectfully request that you encourage your communities to embrace primary healthcare as the first point of contact,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Walter Mulombo, World Health Organisation Country Representative to Nigeria, said they would continue to work with the government to increase accessibility to newer vaccines for wider protection from vaccine preventable disease.
Mulombo who was represented by Dr Chukwumuanya Igboekwu, Southeast Zonal Coordinator, WHO,
urge the traditional rulers to continue to support the delivery of primary health care in their kingdoms.
In his remarks, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu of Ezema Olo in Enugu State who is the Chairman of the south east committee promised that they would continue to support the government to achieve universal health coverage.
