The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Anambra State Government to improve primary healthcare delivery, expand immunisation coverage and enhance access to quality healthcare services across the state.
The WHO South-East Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu, stated this during an advocacy visit to the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) at its headquarters in Awka.
Dr. Igboekwu explained that the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing partnership between WHO and the state’s health sector, particularly through the revitalisation of the State Primary Healthcare and Immunisation Task Force.
He emphasised the need for the task force to be inaugurated and periodically reactivated to ensure continuity, effective coordination and the inclusion of new members as changes occur within the health system. He described the platform as essential for advocacy, strategic oversight and improved coordination of primary healthcare and immunisation programmes.
The WHO zonal coordinator commended the Anambra State Government, under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, for its investments in healthcare infrastructure and ongoing health sector reforms. He noted that the state’s achievements were reflected in its performance at the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge Awards in 2024 and 2025.
Speaking during the visit, the WHO Anambra State Coordinator, Dr. Bonos Mohammed, highlighted the organisation’s major areas of intervention in the state, including polio eradication, routine immunisation, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation and control, emergency preparedness, and the promotion of the health and well-being of Ndi Anambra.
Dr. Mohammed reaffirmed WHO’s readiness to support the state government in strengthening its healthcare system. He also underscored the importance of effective oversight and accountability in immunisation programmes, noting that regular supportive supervision and sustained commitment from ASPHCDA would be crucial to improving programme performance and health outcomes.
In her response, the Executive Secretary of ASPHCDA, Dr. Chizoba Ezeasor, appreciated the WHO delegation for its continued partnership, technical support and contributions to improving healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr. Ezeasor reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working closely with WHO and other development partners to strengthen primary healthcare services across Anambra.
She stressed that ASPHCDA would continue to pursue efforts to ensure that primary healthcare centres are accessible, functional, responsive to community needs and adequately equipped to provide essential health services to residents.
