By Chris Chikelue
The Anambra State House of Assembly has called for the rehabilitation of dilapidated Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state to improve healthcare delivery, particularly in rural communities.
The lawmakers made the call on Sept. 18, while considering the performance audit report of the House Committee on Public Accounts on PHCs across the state.
The committee, chaired by Hon. Noble Igwe, Member representing Ogbaru 1 Constituency, recommended the recruitment, training and equitable deployment of qualified healthcare personnel, alongside the rehabilitation and upgrading of facilities.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Golden Chukwuebuka Iloh, Member representing Ihiala 2 Constituency, said several PHCs in his constituency were in poor condition after being vandalised during insecurity. He said the facilities in Lilu and Osumoghu were burnt down, while those in Isseke and Okija were also affected, leaving the communities in need of functional healthcare facilities.
Igwe, while speaking on PHCs in Ogbaru Local Government Area, commended the state government for efforts to improve facilities, including the Okpoko Secretariat PHC, PHC East Niger, PHC Okpoko Ward 1 and St. Luke’s Anglican Church PHC. He, however, said the facilities required further attention to enhance their capacity to provide effective healthcare services.
Also contributing, Hon. Nonso Atuchukwu, Member representing Nnewi South 1 Constituency, expressed concern over the underutilisation of the PHC in Amichi, attributing it partly to the presence of private hospitals and medical centres providing free healthcare services to residents.
The lawmakers called for adequate budgetary provisions and timely release of funds for essential medicines and medical equipment, routine maintenance of PHCs, and improved management and utilisation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund to strengthen transparency, accountability and periodic reporting.
The House urged the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency to review its drug procurement and distribution framework to ensure consistent availability of essential medicines for first line treatment. It also called for functional water supply, reliable electricity, adequate sanitation, effective waste disposal and appropriate security measures in healthcare facilities.
The lawmakers further called for stronger monitoring, supervision and internal control mechanisms, regular maintenance of renovated facilities, continuous professional training and periodic performance evaluations to improve accountability, service delivery and value for money.
The House urged the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) to strengthen its performance monitoring framework and implement the audit recommendations.
It also recommended training and subsequent employment of interested indigenes as nurses and other healthcare providers to serve in their communities, saying this would help address manpower shortages and reduce staff attrition.
Chris Chikelue is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
#PHCs
#Rehabilitation
#RuralHealthcare
