The Anambra State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to establishing a functional General Hospital in every local government area as part of a major healthcare overhaul.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, announced this during a press briefing following a tour of health facilities across the state. He stated that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration is “intentional about bridging the healthcare gap between urban and rural communities.”

Key Achievements Outlined:

Dr. Obidike highlighted several concrete steps taken to strengthen the healthcare system:

• Primary Healthcare: The renovation of 130 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state, with the goal of having one functional PHC per ward.
• Infrastructure Upgrade: Installation of 5KVA solar power systems in all 326 PHCs to ensure constant electricity and water supply.
• Recognition: The state’s efforts were rewarded last year when it won the Best PHC Leadership Challenge, a achievement that came with a $1.2 million prize.
• Specialized Care: To fill a critical gap, a new, fully digitized Trauma Centre with an intensive care unit and a burns section is under construction.

Impact on Rural Communities:

The human impact of these projects was underscored by residents of Ayamelum, an area that previously lacked a general hospital.

Mrs. Nneka Okafor, a farmer from Umumbo, shared a tragic story of losing a relative during childbirth because they could not reach a hospital in time.

“We used to travel several miles by motorcycle just to get medical help… My co-wife went into labour one night, and before we could find a motorcycle… she passed away. I can never forget that loss,” she recounted. “Now, we have a hospital right here in our community. That alone gives us peace of mind.”

The government’s tour included visits to several new and upgraded facilities, including the General Hospital in Anaku and the Trauma Centre at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital in Awka, signaling a significant push to make quality healthcare accessible to all residents.