By Nkiru Anakor
The Mayor of Awka South Local Government Area(LGA), Prince Chinedu Okafor, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery, strengthening emergency preparedness and addressing gaps in primary healthcare services across the area.
The commitment was highlighted during a familiarisation visit and strategic meeting between the Mayor’s Special Adviser on Health, Pharm. Henry Iloh, and the Awka South Local Government Health Team, held at the mayor’s directive.
The meeting, attended by the Director of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okeke, and other coordinating officers, examined ways to address emerging public health concerns, including the threat of Ebola and Lassa fever, as well as challenges relating to healthcare infrastructure and staffing.
Briefing the Special Adviser, Dr. Okeke outlined ongoing public awareness campaigns, preventive measures and the challenges confronting health workers. She also disclosed plans to establish a Rapid Response Taskforce (RRT) to strengthen the local government’s capacity to respond to health emergencies and improve community preparedness.
The proposed taskforce is expected to be inaugurated by the mayor in the coming weeks.
On healthcare infrastructure, Dr. Okeke noted that although several PHCs were in good condition, inadequate personnel remained a major challenge to effective service delivery.
She further disclosed that three PHCs would benefit from infrastructural upgrades through UNICEF funding. One of the planned projects is the construction of a Primary Healthcare Centre at Mopol Base, Agu-Awka, to address a long standing healthcare need in the community, particularly during the rainy season.
The Mayor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Cyril Okonkwo, emphasised the need for increased public awareness of healthcare activities and services available at PHCs. He said planned sensitisation programmes would educate residents on the importance of primary healthcare and encourage greater use of the facilities.
He added that effective publicity would also help attract support from donors, philanthropists and other stakeholders interested in strengthening healthcare delivery in the area.
The meeting highlighted the local government’s focus on improving healthcare infrastructure, strengthening emergency response systems and promoting collaboration among health professionals and development partners to protect residents’ wellbeing.
Nkiru Anakor is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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