By Lilian Ezejiegu
As the world marks the International Day of Yoga on June 21, Anambra State is highlighting its commitment to preventive healthcare, healthy living and the well-being of its citizens through a range of government-led programmes and community-based health initiatives.
The global observance, celebrated annually under the auspices of the United Nations, this year carries the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing” a call to embrace holistic wellness practices that promote mobility, mental clarity and long-term health. In Anambra, several ongoing initiatives reflect these principles, positioning the state as a growing advocate of preventive and community-centred healthcare.
A major pillar of the state’s health strategy is the expansion of Primary Healthcare Centres across all wards in Anambra. Under Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration, over 326 PHCs have undergone renovation, with the goal of ensuring every ward has a functional, 24-hour healthcare facility by the end of 2026, bringing quality healthcare closer to communities, the elderly and the most vulnerable.
Complementing this effort is the Healthy Living Initiative championed by the wife of the governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo.
Through this programme, schools, households and communities are encouraged to adopt healthier lifestyles, embrace nutritious diets and engage in regular physical activity, principles closely aligned with the spirit and practice of yoga as a tool for preventive health.
The state has also invested significantly in tackling non-communicable diseases, which disproportionately affect the elderly. Through its free treatment programme for chronic diseases targeting the poorest families, the Soludo administration is addressing the very conditions like hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease that holistic wellness practices such as yoga are globally recognised to help prevent and manage.
Anambra’s healthcare transformation further includes the establishment of new general hospitals, a modern Trauma Centre and the scaling of free maternal and child health programmes, reflecting a comprehensive approach to public health that prioritises both curative and preventive care across all age groups.
Beyond formal health infrastructure, community-based wellness programmes in Anambra encourage residents to embrace physical activity, mindful living and balance d nutrition as daily habits — grassroots practices that align directly with the values promoted on International Day of Yoga worldwide.
As the world celebrates International Day of Yoga, Anambra’s commitment to preventive healthcare, healthy ageing and community well-being demonstrates that the principles behind this global observance are not foreign ideals, but values being actively built into the fabric of the state’s development. Under the Solution administration, Ndi Anambra are being equipped not just to live longer, but to live well.
Lilian is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
