By Chris Chikelue
The Anambra State Ministry of Health has concluded its 2026 two-day Joint Annual Review (JAR) Meeting with a renewed commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery, closing implementation gaps and improving health outcomes across the State.
The review, held from August 5 to 6, 2026, at the Conference Room of the Ministry, Awka, brought together Programme Officers, Development Partners, Civil Society Organisations, health sector stakeholders and other key actors to assess the performance of the State’s health sector and chart a strategic course for the coming year.
Declaring the meeting open, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, described the JAR as an important platform for assessing progress, strengthening accountability and ensuring that health sector planning and interventions are guided by evidence.
According to him, the review provided an opportunity for stakeholders to critically examine achievements, identify areas requiring improvement and develop practical strategies for addressing emerging challenges in the sector.
He commended the commitment of health sector stakeholders and highlighted key achievements recorded under the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, particularly in strengthening primary healthcare delivery.
The commissioner noted that more than 100 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) have been revitalised across the State, significantly improving the availability and accessibility of healthcare services at the grassroots.
Speaking on the purpose of the review, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics (DPRS), Ministry of Health, Dr. John Paul Onyekineso, said the meeting was designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the State’s health sector performance and translate the findings into actionable priorities.
He explained that the review focused on assessing performance against key health indicators, targets and commitments at both State and Local Government Area levels, while identifying achievements, challenges, implementation gaps and opportunities for improvement.
Dr. Onyekineso said the meeting also reviewed health survey, routine and administrative data to strengthen evidence-based decision-making and improve the quality of health sector planning.
He further disclosed that participants examined the implementation of major health sector reforms and programmes, including the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), HOPE Programme, and other national and State health initiatives.
According to him, the review was also aimed at building consensus around priority interventions, strengthening resource mobilisation strategies, improving coordination among stakeholders and identifying implementation bottlenecks and best practices across programmes and LGAs.
«“The essence of the Joint Annual Review is not merely to look at what we have achieved, but to critically examine what worked, what did not work, why the gaps exist, and what practical steps we need to take to improve performance,” Dr. Onyekineso said.»
He urged participants to actively engage in the review process and provide practical, evidence-based recommendations that would support the effective implementation of the State’s health priorities.
The meeting also featured presentations and contributions from development partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as other organisations and stakeholders supporting healthcare development in Anambra State.
At the conclusion of the two-day review, participants expressed satisfaction with the outcomes, noting that the meeting had provided a valuable platform for assessing progress and developing practical recommendations for strengthening the health sector.
The recommendations from the review are expected to guide health sector planning, resource allocation, policy implementation and programme delivery across Anambra State in the remaining months of 2026 and beyond.
The Joint Annual Review further reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to evidence-based planning, effective coordination, accountability and continuous improvement in the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people of Anambra State.
