By Nnedinma Okeke
For families seeking care at Primary Healthcare Centres, the real value of healthcare investment is measured not in funds released or spent, but in whether a pregnant woman receives quality care, a child gets essential immunisation and medicines are available when needed.
The Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Dr. Chizoba Prisca Ezeasor, said this on Sept. 22, while addressing members of the Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (ACHPN) at their Annual Scientific Conference in Awka.
The conference, held at the UNIZIK ASUU Secretariat, was themed “Enhancing Community Based Health Services Through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund: The Essential Role of Community Health Practitioners.”
Dr. Ezeasor described the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) as an important opportunity to strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots, stressing that its success should ultimately be reflected in the quality of services available to people in their communities.
She identified key indicators of meaningful impact to include access to quality maternal care, childhood immunisation, availability of essential medicines and services, functional health facilities, regular attendance by health workers and responsive care.
According to her, BHCPF investments should complement the State Government’s efforts in the health sector by strengthening human resources, improving access to medicines and commodities, supporting functional referral systems and promoting accountability.
Dr. Ezeasor said ASPHCDA remained committed to building a primary healthcare system that is accessible, accountable, equitable and people centred.
“This means supporting and motivating our health workforce, insisting on professionalism and accountability, ensuring health workers are present at their duty posts, maintaining accurate records and data, ensuring resources for healthcare are used solely for their intended purposes, and ensuring patients are treated with dignity, compassion and respect,” she said.
The Executive Secretary congratulated ACHPN on its Annual Scientific Conference and urged practitioners to continue developing their professional knowledge, ethical standards and commitment to quality service.
She called on them to support government efforts to ensure that mothers, children and vulnerable members of society can access quality healthcare.
“As Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, I assure you of our willingness to collaborate with the association and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen community based healthcare delivery across Anambra State,” she said.
“Our goal is clear: every investment in primary healthcare must ultimately translate into better services, healthier communities and improved health outcomes for our people,” she added.
Nnedinma Okeke is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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