By Nnedinma Okeke
As part of preparations for the implementation of its seven-year Audacious Programme, which focuses on community engagement, policy and health system strengthening, Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation has paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Dr. Chizoba Prisca Ezeasor.
Leading the delegation to the ASPHCDA office complex in Awka on October 7, 2026, the Ipas Co-Director/Senior Programme Advisor, Mr. Samsu Gombwer, said the organisation had been working with Anambra State over the past two years.
He explained that Ipas had contributed to the development of the Safe and Legal Abortion Framework and trained healthcare providers on the provision of post-abortion care in health facilities.
“We developed the Safe and Legal Abortion Framework and also trained healthcare providers on the provision of post-abortion care at health facilities.
“Basically, Ipas’ programme activities in primary healthcare involve capacity building for healthcare providers on post-abortion care and gender-based violence, as well as support with commodities for post-abortion care,” he said.
Mr. Gombwer noted that the new Audacious Programme would build on these efforts, with particular emphasis on community engagement, policy and health system strengthening.
He explained that before the programme commenced, the organisation would engage relevant stakeholders to review its work plan, identify existing gaps and determine priority areas requiring attention.
“Before we commence, we will have a stakeholders’ engagement where we will basically discuss our work plan, the gaps identified and the priority areas of need, so that we can work around the gaps and see how they can be addressed.
“ASPHCDA is a critical stakeholder in this engagement, and in the coming weeks, we will have a stakeholders’ engagement meeting where we will all make inputs and deliberate on how we can work together to achieve the desired results,” he said.
Mr. Gombwer also congratulated Dr. Ezeasor on her appointment as Executive Secretary of ASPHCDA.
In her response, Dr. Ezeasor thanked the Ipas team for the visit and assured them of the agency’s readiness to collaborate with organisations committed to strengthening primary healthcare delivery in the state.
She reaffirmed ASPHCDA’s openness to partnerships aimed at improving the health system for the benefit of Ndi Anambra and all residents of the state, particularly those at the grassroots.
The visit was attended by the Ipas Programme Evidence Advisor, Mr. Felix-Mary Okpechi, and the organisation’s Communications Advisor, Mrs. Rachel Ogunlana.
Nnedinma Okeke is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State.
