Nonye Soludo Celebrates Progress In Anambra Primary Healthcare Sector

Nonye Soludo Celebrates Progress In Anambra Primary Healthcare Sector

From Seun Miracle 

Nonye Soludo Celebrates Progress in Anambra Primary Healthcare Sector 

The Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has described the state's Primary Healthcare (PHC) Leadership Challenge Award as a powerful affirmation of the collective commitment of government, development partners and communities to building a responsive, accountable and people-centred healthcare system.

Mrs. Soludo spoke during the award ceremony for the PHC Leadership Challenge Fund for Local Government Areas in Anambra State, where outstanding local government chairmen, healthcare personnel, facilities and managers were recognised for excellence in primary healthcare delivery.

She said the initiative had become an important platform for promoting excellence, innovation and leadership at the grassroots level, while encouraging healthy competition among healthcare providers.

According to her, the event underscores the progress recorded by the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo in strengthening primary healthcare through investments in infrastructure, workforce development and service delivery.

“By celebrating outstanding performance, we inspire greater dedication and reinforce the values that drive sustainable development in our health sector,” she said.

Mrs. Soludo noted that the state had witnessed remarkable improvements in primary healthcare through strategic investments in health infrastructure, recruitment and training of healthcare personnel, upgrading of health facilities, improved access to essential medicines and strengthened maternal and child health services.

She stressed that healthcare remains a critical pillar of sustainable development and that residents across communities were increasingly enjoying improved access to quality healthcare services. “As the founder of Healthy Living Initiative, I understand the importance of a strong primary healthcare system in improving the wellbeing of families and communities.

“It is the foundation of disease prevention, health promotion, immunisation, maternal and child health services, nutrition and community health education.”

She commended the Ministry of Health, the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, development partners and stakeholders for supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery across the state.

Mrs. Soludo urged award recipients to view the recognition as motivation for greater service, noting that excellence should be seen as a continuous journey rather than a final destination.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said the gathering was organised to celebrate leadership and innovation in the health sector.

According to him, the PHC Leadership Challenge is more than a competition, but a call to action for all stakeholders to improve the health and wellbeing of the people through stronger and more responsive healthcare systems.

He said the state had, over the past three years, pursued strategic innovations in primary healthcare facilities, including investments in solar power and water infrastructure to improve service delivery. “The improvements are becoming visible across communities. In a recent interaction with a journalist, he expressed surprise at the level of transformation witnessed in some health facilities.

In a goodwill message, the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu, commended the progress being recorded in the state’s health sector and called on residents to support government efforts. “I want to say to Ndi Anambra that your health sector is moving and progressing. The government needs your support,” he said.

He particularly urged traditional rulers to help safeguard public infrastructure provided by government, describing them as key custodians and drivers of community development.

Representing UNICEF Enugu Field Office, Gloria Ogbonna congratulated Anambra State for what she described as evidence of good governance, especially in the health sector.

She said the award ceremony recognised the commitment and hard work of stakeholders who have contributed to improved health outcomes in the state. “This recognition would motivate health workers to sustain their efforts while encouraging greater responsiveness in service delivery.

Ogbonna noted that Anambra had distinguished itself nationally by emerging as both overall best-performing state and regional champion in previous healthcare assessments. “We reaffirm UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the state even as we congratulate Governor Soludo, healthcare workers and residents on the achievements recorded so far.

The representative of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Dr. Bob Makalande, also praised the partnership between the organisation and the Anambra State Government.

He pledged continued collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the office of the First Lady to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve outcomes for residents. “We appreciate the support you give to our work. We are proud to be part of Anambra and we promise to do more,” he said.

Providing insight into the selection process for award recipients, one of the consultants for the PHC Leadership Challenge, Mr. Shedrach Nwaekeagu, explained that the exercise was designed to strengthen leadership, coordination and quality service delivery across primary healthcare facilities in the state.

He said the assessment process placed strong emphasis on evidence and transparency.

According to him, claims made by participants at state, local government and community levels were verified through documented evidence, while independent assessors, verification agents and judges ensured fairness throughout the exercise.

Nwaekeagu said assessment areas included capacity building, coordination, teamwork, innovation, programme management, technical competence, documentation, data management and evidence-based decision-making.

He disclosed that only qualified personnel with valid professional licences and verified employment status were allowed to participate in the exercise. “We ensured a transparent process. There was no interference from the state or any individual,” he said.

The ceremony attracted traditional rulers, local government chairmen, healthcare workers, civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders from across the state.

For many participants, the event not only celebrated excellence but also reinforced Anambra’s determination to build a stronger, more efficient and people-centred primary healthcare system capable of meeting the needs of every community.