Emetu, PHC Task Force Chairman, Demands Zero Maternal Deaths in Abia

Emetu, PHC Task Force Chairman, Demands Zero Maternal Deaths in Abia

The Deputy Governor of Abia State and Chairman of the State Primary Health Care Task Force, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, has called for stronger measures to eliminate avoidable deaths and improve maternal and child healthcare delivery across the state.

Emetu made the call while presiding over the third-quarter meeting of the Abia State Primary Health Care Task Force held at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Governor’s Office, Government House, Umuahia.

The meeting reviewed the state’s primary healthcare performance over the quarter, assessed achievements and challenges, and adopted measures aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery.

The Deputy Governor commended members of the task force, health agencies and development partners for their collective efforts in improving primary healthcare in the state, noting that progress recorded in immunisation, disease surveillance, malaria control, child health and other areas was the result of teamwork.

He, however, expressed concern over the report of four deaths and stressed that the state should work towards achieving a zero-death record.

Emetu particularly called for improved antenatal care completion, stronger community outreach programmes, expanded adolescent health services and a more effective emergency referral and transportation system to reduce maternal and child mortality.

He also directed that identified gaps in the health sector must translate into concrete actions, with clear responsibilities, timelines and measurable results.

According to him, the state must move beyond merely identifying challenges during quarterly meetings to ensuring that recommendations are implemented and their impact felt by residents.

The Deputy Governor further identified shortages and absenteeism among health workers as challenges requiring urgent attention, stressing that workers deployed to primary healthcare facilities must remain at their duty posts.

He disclosed that the government was also strengthening cold-chain infrastructure across renovated and retrofitted health facilities, while efforts were being made to address human-resource gaps within available resources.

Emetu said the ultimate objective of the administration was to build a primary healthcare system that residents could trust, where pregnant women receive adequate care, children have access to vaccines, emergencies are referred without delay and essential medicines and personnel are available.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Kalu Ulu Kalu, said the meeting provided an opportunity to review the achievements of the previous three months, identify areas where the state had not performed well and make recommendations for improved healthcare delivery.

Kalu said the meeting was not meant to apportion blame but to examine facts and figures and proffer solutions, while commending the Deputy Governor Engr Ikechukwu Emetu for his commitment and support towards strengthening primary healthcare in the state.

Representatives of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, World Health Organisation and UNICEF also commended the Abia State Government for its commitment to improving primary healthcare.

The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, NPHCDA,Dr. Muyi Aina represented , Mrs. Onu Ibeleme commended the state for its ongoing interventions and revitalisation of primary healthcare centres.

The WHO representative, Mr. Ayokaewe Ekpoudom, who represented the State Coordinator, Dr. Oluchukwu Nwaeze, commended Governor Alex Chioma Otti and Deputy Governor Emetu, in his capacity as Chairman of the Primary Health Care Task Force, for their commitment to strengthening the state’s health system.

He said WHO would continue to support the state in strengthening primary healthcare and ensuring that mothers and children receive the necessary care.

The UNICEF representative, Mr. Ephraim Chukwu, also commended the government for ensuring the availability of health commodities and vaccines, noting that UNICEF was supporting the deployment of technology to improve the distribution and monitoring of routine immunisation products.

The meeting featured a review of the second-quarter performance and progress recorded in primary healthcare delivery, with stakeholders making recommendations and setting action points for the third quarter.

Related