Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has expressed strong commitment to partnering the Federal Government in order to adequately provide for the people’s health needs in the State, especially the poor residents.
Governor Soludo stated this when Muhammad Ali Pate, Professor and Minister of Health and Social Welfare, paid a courtesy call on him at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia in Awka, the State Capital.
He appreciated the Minister for the great job he is doing, especially for recognizing that human capital is a critical part of development, to which health is the nucleus.
The governor, who sadly reflected that the life expectancy of the average Nigerian is one of the lowest, pointed out that his Administration is prioritising primary healthcare, to grant access and affordability to citizens who truly need it.
He states over 60,000 people had benefitted from the State’s free ante-natal care and delivery services, saying, “My Government is intentionally prioritizing provision of portable water, sanitation, waste management for a greater number of the citizens.
“I see room for partnership in this regard. Strategic partnership along this chain will get it to work,” he said.
While commending his administration’s Public-Private-Community-Partnership (PPCP) model, Governor Soludo called for a rethink of mechanisms in delivering value to the people to ensuring effectiveness and efficiency, through devolution of responsibilities.
“The programmes we implement here is not only for Anambra but for Nigeria. When we assumed office, seventy eight percent of our people access healthcare through the private institutions, but today, as we are providing for their health needs, the number is decreasing”, he noted.
Governor Soludo also spoke about the numerous health interventions by his Administration including building of General Hospitals where they are needed, strengthening of the primary healthcare system across the 326 political wards of the State, ongoing construction of a pharmaceutical hub in Ogboji, among others.
He expressed optimism that beyond being a drug distribution point, Anambra would become a drug manufacturing point which will ultimately enhance quality assurance.
The Minister commended Governor Soludo’s forthrightness in service delivery to the State, having observed it from the proactiveness of the State health team and assured of deepening the synergy between Anambra State and the Federal Government, especially in the health sector.
Pate noted that because of Soludo’s leadership, more people now have access to quality and affordable healthcare across the state and encouraged him to do more.
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