By Stanley Nwako
The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, has welcomed a new six to seven-year programme by IPAS aimed at reducing unsafe abortion and improving access to post-abortion care and contraceptive services in the state.
Obidike spoke when the Co-Director of IPAS, Mr Samsu Gombwer, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Awka on Wednesday. Gombwer was accompanied by his team, including the former Commissioner for Health in Anambra State, Prof. Brian Adinma.
Gombwer briefed the Commissioner on the new programme, which is designed to strengthen existing efforts in the state and improve access to appropriate reproductive health services.
Obidike said Anambra was pleased to be selected as one of the five priority states among the eight states chosen for the programme, adding that the state would make good use of the opportunity.
He said the long-term nature of the programme placed a major responsibility on the state and its partners to ensure that its objectives were achieved. He also stressed the need for effective cooperation among government officials, agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
The Commissioner said the programme's focus on improving access to contraceptive services was important, noting that better access to family planning and related services could help reduce maternal deaths.
He expressed optimism that the partnership with IPAS would strengthen ongoing efforts to improve maternal health and provide better care for women who need reproductive health services.
Earlier, Gombwer said IPAS had worked with the Anambra State Ministry of Health over the past two years on policy dissemination and training of healthcare workers in areas including post-abortion care and contraceptive services.
He said the new programme would focus on three major areas: policy, community engagement and health system strengthening.
He disclosed that IPAS planned to support about 20 additional health facilities in Anambra, building on the 19 facilities where it had previously worked.
Gombwer added that the programme would begin with stakeholder engagement and an assessment of the state's health system, followed by baseline assessments and training of state trainers. The trained personnel would then provide continuous on-the-job training for healthcare workers.
He thanked the Commissioner for receiving the delegation and expressed the organisation's readiness to sustain its partnership with the Anambra State Government.
