By Nnedinma Okeke
Following the appointment of a new Executive Secretary for Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) by the Executive Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo on April 23, the former Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Pharm Chisom Francisca Uchem has officially handed over to the new Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA Dr Obianuju Chinelo Okoye.
In the handover ceremony, which took place at ASPHCDA office complex and in attendance of the Agency’s Management and Staff on April 27, Pharm Uchem expressed gratitude and fulfilment as she formally handed over the baton of leadership of the Agency.
She noted that three years back, she assumed office as the Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA with a solemn pledge; to protect and strengthen the healthcare system against anomaly, with the aim of leaving the Agency better than she met it.
“Today, by the grace of God and with collective efforts, I can say we achieved that pledge as during this period, we have; successfully carried out strategic renovations across health facilities, and established telemedicine hubs in at least one PHC per ward, which significantly improved access to healthcare services.
“Also, the distinctive performance in the PHC Leadership Challenge 2024 where Anambra State emerged overall best-performing State in Nigeria and best in Southeast zone, with a total win of 1.2 million US Dollars and an outstanding performance in 2025 where Anambra State emerged second-best in the South-East zone, with a win of 400,000 US Dollars.
“We also, digitised our systems which enabled real-time monitoring, secured and efficiently disbursed funds under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), strengthened healthcare delivery systems across the state, while building a stronger, more resilient, and highly motivated workforce geared toward efficiency in service delivery in the health sector,” she articulated.
Thanking all who worked with her, to include; the State Ministry of Health, Management and entire Staff of ASPHCDA, the 21 LGA Directors of Health, and Development Partners, the outgoing ES noted that her achievements in office were not done solely by her, but were a result of their dedication, sacrifices, and refusal to underperform.
She commended the Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo for the privilege and honor to be a part of the Solution Team, while urging staff of the Agency to now shift their loyalty to the new leadership of ASPHCDA- Dr Obianuju Okoye, supporting as fiercely as they had supported her.
The new Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Dr Obianuju Chinelo Okoye assuring the Staff of a good working relationship, noted that it was her strong desire to work effectively with entire Staff of ASPHCDA. “This is geared towards further promoting, strengthening and sustaining a working healthcare system for the benefit of Ndi Anambra and all living in the State with special reference to the grassroots.”
She explained that the gains of working in the healthcare sector was the relief and happiness that comes to the people you aid, which according to her, also brings fulfilment to the helper. She, then, solicited for support of the Agency for better outcomes in the system.
The ASPHCDA boss expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo for the opportunity to serve in capacity as Executive Secretary ASPHCDA. She commended the outgoing Executive Secretary, Pharm Uchem for deploying her wealth of knowledge in advancing the Agency with record of notable wins in the sector. She urged all to work together with love in an environment devoid of gossip and the likes.
The Head of Accounting Department, ASPHCDA, Mrs Amaka Maduka and CHIPs Programme Officer, Mrs Amaka Okoye in their remarks thanked the outgoing Executive Secretary for the good working relationship, coordination, and expertise in running affairs of the Agency which they enjoyed in her tenure as ES ASPHCDA.
The duo welcomed the new Executive Secretary ASPHCDA while praying for a good working relationship, with great expectations of achieving more wins for the State through the Agency.
The Head, Planning, Research and Statistics Department, ASPHCDA, Mr Casmir Mabia thanked the Management and Staff of ASPHCDA for their attendance at the smooth handover ceremony. He assured that the Agency would support her new Boss in taking ASPHCDA to enviable heights while building a greater empire.
Nnedinma is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
