By Stanley Nwako
The Anambra State Government has received a consignment of Comprehensive Emergency Maternal and Newborn Care (CEmONC) equipment from the Federal Government under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) initiative to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare services across the state.
The equipment was officially received on behalf of the state government by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, during a distribution exercise held at the Central Medical Store, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Obidike commended the Federal Government and the SWAp initiative for the intervention, describing it as a major boost to healthcare delivery in Anambra State.
He said the CEmONC equipment would improve maternal and newborn healthcare services in the beneficiary hospitals and complement Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s sustained investments in the health sector. The commissioner assured that the equipment would be properly installed, maintained and effectively utilized to improve the quality of care for mothers and newborns.
Earlier, the Anambra State SWAp Desk Officer, Dr. Obi Chioma, explained that the CEmONC equipment, provided through the SWAp initiative, was aimed at reducing maternal and newborn deaths by improving the capacity of health facilities to provide quality emergency obstetric and newborn care.
She said the equipment, which includes delivery beds, delivery couches, laryngoscopes, refrigerators, blood storage systems, phototherapy machines, radiant warmers, incubators and other essential medical devices, would enhance safe deliveries, improve the management of newborn complications and strengthen healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities.
Dr. Obi disclosed that the equipment would be distributed to five secondary healthcare facilities General Hospital Nnobi, General Hospital Enugwu-Ukwu, General Hospital Umueri, General Hospital Ekwulobia and General Hospital Umunze across the state’s three senatorial zones.
She added that representatives of the beneficiary hospitals received the equipment for immediate deployment and use, expressing confidence that the intervention would significantly reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths while improving healthcare outcomes across Anambra State.
Present at the distribution were the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo; Chief Medical Officers of one the beneficiary general hospitals, Dr Dozie Udeolisa and other senior health officials.
Stanley Nwako is of the Ministry of Health, Anambra State
