Essential Ndubuisi
The Anambra State Government has announced plans to make fibroid surgery more affordable in government-owned hospitals as part of efforts to improve access to quality healthcare for women across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, disclosed this while appearing before the Public Accounts Committee of the Anambra State House of Assembly during the review of the state’s audited accounts.
He said the decision followed the successful completion of free fibroid surgeries for about 60 women who were unable to afford treatment in private hospitals, where the procedure costs about ₦1.5 million.
According to the Commissioner, many of the beneficiaries had endured years of severe menstrual bleeding and other complications, while some required blood transfusions before undergoing surgery due to critically low blood levels.
Dr. Obidike attributed the success of the programme to the upgrading of general hospitals approved by the State House of Assembly and the recruitment of specialist consultants, including gynaecologists, to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
He noted that government hospitals, including General Hospital, Okpoko, now have the capacity to perform specialised procedures that were previously unavailable in many public health facilities.
The Commissioner disclosed that General Hospital, Okpoko, successfully performed at least 15 fibroid surgeries within one week, while more than 150 women registered for the programme despite the initial target of 66 beneficiaries.
He added that the ministry has also expanded other free surgical interventions, including more than 70 cataract surgeries at the Anambra State Eye Care Centre and over 100 hernia surgeries, surpassing the initial targets for both programmes.
Dr. Obidike encouraged residents to enrol in the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme to benefit from affordable healthcare services, stressing that the government’s primary objective is to improve access to quality medical care and save lives.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Honourable Noble Igwe, commended the Ministry of Health for its efforts and urged it to sustain the delivery of affordable and quality healthcare services across the state.
The committee also cleared the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs following its review of the ministry’s financial records.
