By Chris Chikelue
Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, has maintained that the state government through the Ministry of Health has all it takes to eradicate the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) from mothers to children.
Commissioner Obidike said this as he chairman a stakeholders’ meeting on the Expanded Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme, where he informed participants that the state government remains committed to drastically reduce HIV transmission from mothers to their children especially during birth delivery.
Discussions at this meeting which was held in Awka centred on the assessment of programmes in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, Elderly Health and Nutrition (RMNCAEH+N), Malaria, Tuberculosis (TB), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and PMTCT.
The meeting which brought together health workers, development partners, and implementing agencies also reviewed the interventions and the strengthening of healthcare service delivery across the state.
Dr. Obidike while elaborating on the issues of the meeting stressed the importance of reviewing identified gaps in Health service delivery, stating that the state government will not tolerate any lapses that could undermine healthcare deliveries.
“The commitment of the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo is to reduce mother to child transmission of HIV to the barest minimum,” he said, while noting that regular review meetings provide important platform for evidence-based planning and decision-making.
“The state is targeting a reduction in mother to child HIV transmission to 0.5 per cent in line with global best practices and in consideration to the government’s broader public health objectives.”
Dr. Obidike directed that all Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) operating within the state be identified and registered within one week. He explained that the move would enhance referral systems and help reduce preventable maternal and child deaths.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo while commenting on the purpose of the meeting applauded the dedication of the state health team, development partners, and other stakeholders for their contributions to improving healthcare delivery in Anambra State.
She called for greater commitment from the partners particularly in ensuring consistent attendance and quality representation at technical review meetings while stressing that stronger collaboration remains critical to achieving healthcare goals.
In her address, the State AIDS and STIs Programme Coordinator (SAPC), Dr. Tonia Mbagwu, commended the data-driven approach adopted by the Commissioner for Health in advancing the integration of PMTCT with other disease control programmes.
Dr. Mbagwu pleaded with the stakeholders to actively contribute to discussions to help the state to intensify efforts toward achieving HIV epidemic control especially among pregnant women and newly delivered children.
Participants also examined programme achievements, identified existing challenges, and developed strategies aimed at improving health outcomes.
They also received updates on PMTCT services in facilities supported by AHNI and AHF across the state
Representatives of key development partners and stakeholders, including AHNI, AHF, CHAI, NEPWHAN, and the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), were in attendance.
Chikelue is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
