By Stanley Nwako
Some unit heads in the Anambra State Ministry of Health have highlighted key areas of the 2027 Annual Operational Plan, AOP, which they said would help improve healthcare services across the state.
They spoke during interviews on the fourth and final day of the workshop on the development, harmonisation and finalisation of the 2027 Annual Operational Plan organised by the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Amasiani Rose, Programme Manager, Food Safety and Hygiene, WASH, and State Nutrition Officer, said the next step after preparing the plan was to ensure that the activities agreed upon were carried out and produced results.
Dr. Rose said she would help by preparing the necessary memos and proposals to support the activities, especially those involving health facilities and healthcare services.
She said the workshop gave programme officers the opportunity to review their activities and budgets and ensure that they were properly included in the 2027 AOP.
According to her, the plan would guide health activities at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. She added that Anambra State has health workers, facilities, medicines and other supplies needed to provide healthcare services.
Dr. Rose urged residents to use public health facilities when they are sick instead of treating themselves without proper medical advice. She said visiting a health facility would help people get the right examination, diagnosis and treatment.
Also speaking, Mrs. Adaku Egoh, Head of the Non-Communicable Diseases, NCDs, Unit, said her unit helped to review the NCD activities included in the 2027 AOP.
She said the activities were designed to meet the health needs of residents and follow both the state health plan and national priorities on NCDs.
Mrs. Egoh said each activity should have clear targets, indicators, responsible officers and timelines. This, she explained, would make it easier to check progress and ensure that officers are held responsible for their duties.
She also said the unit would push for enough funding for important NCD services such as screening, treatment, medicines, training, supervision and proper health records.
Mrs. Egoh said residents should see better access to services for diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and sickle cell disease. She also called for greater public awareness of healthy living, including regular exercise, healthy eating and regular checks of blood pressure and blood sugar.
Mrs. Ifeoma Nwakpaduolu, Head of the Adolescent Reproductive Health Unit, said her unit would work with schools, communities, government agencies and development partners to improve health services for young people.
She said her contribution to the 2027 AOP included identifying the major health needs of adolescents and ensuring that activities, targets and timelines were clearly stated in the plan.
According to her, the plan gives attention to issues such as teenage pregnancy, menstrual hygiene, mental health, substance abuse and access to health services that are friendly to young people.
Mrs. Nwakpaduolu said the plan should help more adolescents get correct health information, menstrual hygiene education, counselling and appropriate medical care when needed.
She added that school and community awareness programmes, better training for health workers and stronger youth-friendly services would help prevent teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and substance abuse.
The unit heads said the 2027 AOP would provide a clear guide for health programmes across the state, with regular monitoring and better use of health information to improve services and make a difference in the lives of residents.
