By Nnedinma Okeke
The Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with HIV programme coordinators and implementing partners to improve access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care services across the state.
The commitment was reiterated by the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of ASPHCDA, Dr. Chizoba Prisca Ezeasor, on Oct. 20, when the Anambra State AIDS Programme Coordinator, Dr. Tonia Mbagwu, led a team from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) on an advocacy visit to the agency’s office complex in Awka.
The visit was an opportunity to congratulate Dr. Ezeasor on her appointment and discuss ways to strengthen coordination between the agency, the State AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (SASCP), and its implementing partners.
During the meeting, Dr. Mbagwu briefed the Executive Secretary on SASCP activities and the contributions of its implementing partners, including AHF and the Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative (AHNI), to HIV interventions across primary healthcare facilities in Anambra State.
She explained that SASCP coordinates facility based interventions for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, working with partners to support primary healthcare centres through the provision of testing services, medicines, HIV related commodities and other essential services.
Dr. Mbagwu stressed that stronger collaboration with ASPHCDA was necessary because many of the programme’s interventions were delivered at the primary healthcare level, noting that improved coordination would help address operational challenges and promote the effective integration of HIV services into routine healthcare delivery.
The AHF State Coordinator, Dr. Vivian Sunday, disclosed that the organisation currently supports nine health facilities across seven Local Government Areas(LGA) in Anambra State.
The facilities are PHC 2 Okpoko, PHC Achalla Uzoakwa, CHC Orsumoghu, PHC Mgbakwu, MCH Amawbia, PHC Ezeawulu, PHC Amaokpala, PHC Nwafia and PHC Umuanugo, Ifite Dunu. They are located in Ogbaru, Ihiala, Awka North, Awka South, Orumba North, Njikoka and Dunukofia LGAs.
According to Dr. Sunday, the facilities provide HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care services alongside other relevant health interventions, adding that AHF was willing to consider extending support to additional facilities that were not already receiving similar assistance from other HIV implementing partners.
She identified inadequate staffing as a major challenge in some supported facilities, explaining that service delivery in certain locations depended on a limited number of government employed health workers, supplemented by volunteers.
Dr. Sunday emphasised the need to strengthen government ownership of HIV services, urging healthcare workers to regard the programme as an integral part of the public health system rather than an intervention driven solely by development partners.
Responding, Dr. Ezeasor thanked the SASCP and AHF teams for their visit, acknowledging their contributions to healthcare delivery in the state.
She stressed that the impact of development partners’ investments would be greater when their interventions aligned with the state’s primary healthcare priorities and were supported by effective coordination and sustained government ownership.
The Executive Secretary highlighted the importance of integrating HIV services into routine primary healthcare, noting that facility level workers must be adequately supported and encouraged to take responsibility for sustaining the gains achieved through partner supported programmes.
“Our priority is to ensure that every investment in primary healthcare translates into measurable improvements in the health and well-being of our people. We welcome partnerships that strengthen our facilities, build the capacity of our healthcare workers and improve access to quality services, especially for vulnerable populations at the grassroots,” Dr. Ezeasor said.
She assured the delegation of the agency’s readiness to facilitate stronger coordination within its mandate, expressing confidence that a collaborative approach would help address existing service delivery gaps and improve access to quality healthcare across the state.
The meeting was attended by the AHF State Pharmacist, Pharm. Wilson Ibelo, and AHF Logistics Personnel, Mr. Kenneth Amaechi.
The engagement highlighted the importance of collaboration among government agencies and implementing partners in strengthening primary healthcare systems, expanding access to HIV services and improving health outcomes for residents of Anambra State.
Nnedinma Okeke is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
#ANSACA #HIVPrevention #PrimaryHealthcare
