By Stanley Nwako
The Anambra State Government has urged residents to take greater responsibility for their health through healthy living, regular medical check-ups and preventive healthcare practices.
The Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr Obiageli Uchebo, who represented the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, made the call during the commemoration of the 2026 National Health Promotion Day on Thursday, October 29. The event was held under the theme, *“Health Promotion: Owning My Health,”* and the slogan, *“Take Charge and Live Well.”*
Uchebo stressed that good health was a shared responsibility involving individuals, families, communities and government. She urged residents to develop healthy habits and seek medical attention promptly rather than wait until illnesses became severe.
She highlighted the importance of personal hygiene, balanced nutrition, regular exercise, safe drinking water, proper sanitation and routine medical examinations in preventing diseases. She also advised residents to avoid tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption and other unhealthy behaviours.
The Permanent Secretary said the state government, under Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, remained committed to improving healthcare delivery through health education, disease prevention, community participation and partnerships. She also emphasised immunisation, responsible sexual and reproductive health practices, and efforts to prevent sexual and gender-based violence.
She noted that health promotion should extend beyond hospitals and health facilities to schools, churches, markets, workplaces and homes, where residents could access reliable health information and learn practical ways to protect themselves and their families.
As part of the celebration, the ministry planned community health talks and sensitisation activities in Isuaniocha, Awka North Local Government Area. Other activities included media engagements, fitness programmes, public awareness campaigns and social media outreach to encourage healthier lifestyles.
Uchebo called for stronger collaboration among development partners, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, healthcare workers and the media to promote positive health behaviours. She urged parents to prioritise their children's immunisation and nutrition and encouraged residents to participate in community health initiatives, stressing that collective action was essential to building healthier communities across Anambra State.
Speaking on the state's health promotion initiatives, the State Health Educator and Health Promotion Programme Manager, Mrs Gloria Ogadimma, said the state had trained 21 health promotion champions across local government areas. She explained that the champions were assigned to communities to support health education, raise awareness and provide counselling on healthy living.
Ogadimma added that the state had also trained ward leaders on social and behaviour change communication and strengthened engagement with civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders to improve community participation in health promotion activities.
