The Anambra state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala has applauded the management and board of the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) for deepening the ongoing sensitisation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The commissioner made commendations during a COVID-19 training organised for ASPHCDA board members at Wintess Garden Hotels, Ifite Awka.
He noted that the state had a structure that supported the Primary Healthcare (PHC) system as they were the first port of call for healthcare delivery in communities while revealing that the state is presently experiencing community transmission of the COVID-19 disease as people in communities are being affected, and building an effective response structure as a Ministry and an Agency is key to better chances in surving the virus.
In his remarks, the Board Chairman, ASPHCDA, Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu commended the commissioner on his Ministry’s efforts in fighting to contain the spread of COVID-19 through its numerous training on the pandemic.
He, however, used the opportunity to appeal for more vehicles to aid the agency in its surveillance, monitoring, and supervisory functions.
Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Dr. Chioma Ezenyimulu during her presentation at the training sensitised the board members on progress made with regards to the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).
According to her, the Fund which is a percent of the consolidated revenue of the federation as contained in the 2014 National Health Act whose main aim is to provide universal health coverage to Nigerians through the one-PHC- per Ward model.
She regretted that while some health facilities are yet to meet up with the criteria for disbursement of the funds especially in terms of staffing, 176 health facilities have been funded and made tremendous impacts with the resources
Dr Ezenyimulu explaining how the BHCPF had brought progress and improvements to PHCs listed some of its achievements in health facilities accross the state which includes the construction of perimeter fencing, placenta and disposal pits, purchase of medical equipment, hospital beddings, generator set, waste bins, fire extinguishers, office furniture, and a scale for weighing in.
Others are tiling, painting, ceiling repair, and roofing of some PHCs.
The Executive Secretary further pleaded for the employment of more health workers so that the remaining 156 of the 332 primary healthcare facilities could be brought on board.
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