By Stanley Nwako
The Anambra State Government has taken another significant step towards improving maternal and child healthcare by commencing the procurement and distribution of essential medicines, consumables, surgical materials and medical equipment to support its Free Antenatal Care (ANC) and Delivery Services Programme across public health facilities in the state.
The procurement covers a wide range of items required for routine antenatal care, safe deliveries, caesarean sections and emergency obstetric services. These include intravenous fluids, antibiotics, anaesthetic drugs, sutures, surgical consumables, syringes, cannulas, laboratory reagents, disinfectants, diagnostic supplies and other essential medical items needed to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services.
The programme also includes the supply of antenatal medications such as iron and folic acid supplements, calcium, vitamin C, multivitamins and other drugs aimed at promoting the health of pregnant women throughout pregnancy.
To strengthen diagnostic and infection prevention services, health facilities will equally receive laboratory test kits, detergents, methylated spirit, glucose preparations, partographs, spinal needles and other consumables that are critical to quality maternal healthcare.
The procurement is expected to enhance the capacity of government-owned hospitals to provide timely, safe and effective care for pregnant women and newborns while ensuring that healthcare workers have the necessary materials to deliver quality services.
The initiative is in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s commitment to ensuring that no woman dies while giving birth because of financial barriers. Since the introduction of the Free Antenatal Care and Delivery Programme, thousands of women have benefited from free maternal healthcare services across the state.
The latest supply of medicines and equipment further demonstrates the administration’s resolve to sustain quality healthcare delivery, improve maternal and child health outcomes, and strengthen the healthcare system in line with the state’s health sector transformation agenda.
The Anambra State Ministry of Health reaffirmed that all procured items will meet approved manufacturers’ specifications and quality standards before distribution to designated health facilities, ensuring that residents continue to receive safe, effective and affordable healthcare services.
Stanley Nwako is of the Ministry of Health, Anambra State
