By Nnedinma Okeke
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has intervened in the rehabilitation of selected Primary Healthcare Centres, PHCs, in the state.
The International organization has also donated medical equipment and hospital beds to the PHCs.
The intervention which revolves around the renovation of flood-affected PHCs and the donation of hospital equipment is aimed at supporting flood-affected communities in the post-flood recovery efforts.
The renovation of the PHCs was facilitated by UNICEF through the support of grants from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
The Executive Secretary, of Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Pharm Chisom Uchem while expressing gratitude to UNICEF, applauded them for the interventions in the flood-affected communities across the state.
Pharm Uchem made the commendation during a supervisory visit to benefiting PHCs in Anambra West and Awka North Local Government Areas (LGAs) respectively.
The visit was to facilitate delivery of the medical equipment to the health facilities and to monitor the status of Primary HealthCare Centres renovations.
She noted that the ongoing PHC renovation and delivery of hospital equipment would strengthen the morale of community members on their commitment toward matters relating to their health.
``This will however extend to using the existing community structures in building up resilience to mitigate the impact of emergencies on their health systems."
The Health Specialist, UNICEF Enugu Field Office, Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo commended the State Government's efforts and support of their activities by providing an enabling environment for the interventions to thrive.
She noted that the State Ministry of Health (SMOH) and ASPHCDA have been key toward facilitating the availability of relevant State Program Managers in providing technical support to fast-track interventions, program planning, implementation, and monitoring.
``The support of the government has also been critical in convening community stakeholders at various stages of community engagement and participation."
Engr Emmanuel Okoye, the Contractor in charge of the renovation at Comprehensive PHC Umueze-Anam, Anambra West LGA noted that the PHC was one of those affected by the 2022 flooding.
He said that the project had been ongoing for the past two weeks and was expected to be delivered within three weeks.
``We are making appreciative progress and hopefully, in the next week we should be able to deliver the job which was given to us by UNICEF and the State health sector."
He commended UNICEF and other financing bodies for their donations and grants given to communities and the state thereby ensuring that the well-being of the people was of paramount importance.
``These communities have felt the impact of UNICEF interventions which are geared toward making healthcare facilities especially those in flood-ravaged communities come alive and it is commendable," he added.
The nine renovated PHCs in five LGAs for post-flood response include; Umunankwo PHC, Akiliozizor PHC, and Ogbakuba PHC all in Ogbaru LGA, Oba PHC in Idemili South LGA, Ugbenu PHC and Ebenebe PHC both in Awka North LGA.
Also, Eziaguluotu PHC in Anambra East LGA, Umueze-Anam PHC, and Iyiora Abegbu PHC are both in Anambra West LGA respectively.
Some of the medical/hospital equipment donated includes; Stand, infusion, double hook-on castors, hospital standard bed with mattress, labor/delivery bed with access, hospital Bedscreen on castors, emergency trolley, and drawers. (MOI)
The information officer reports from ASPHCDA
RNI/Ezenwata
