The Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has stated that the Primary Healthcare (PHC) Leadership Challenge is playing a crucial role in promoting excellence, accountability, and innovation in healthcare delivery across the state, while strengthening efforts to build a people-centred health system.
Mrs. Soludo made the remark during the award ceremony of the PHC Leadership Challenge Fund for Local Government Areas in Anambra State, where outstanding local government chairmen, healthcare managers, health facilities, and frontline healthcare workers were recognized for exceptional performance.
Describing the initiative as a reflection of the state’s commitment to quality healthcare, she noted that the challenge has become an important platform for encouraging healthy competition, rewarding excellence, and fostering innovation at the grassroots level.
According to the First Lady, the awards demonstrate the determination of the administration of Chukwuma Soludo and its partners to build a healthcare system that is responsive, accountable, and accessible to all residents.
“By celebrating outstanding performance, we inspire greater dedication and reinforce the values that drive sustainable development in our health sector,” she said.
Mrs. Soludo highlighted significant investments made by the state government in primary healthcare, including the rehabilitation and upgrading of health facilities, recruitment and training of healthcare workers, improved access to essential medicines, and strengthened maternal and child healthcare services.
She observed that communities across the state are already benefiting from improved healthcare services resulting from these interventions.
“As the founder of the Healthy Living Initiative, I understand the importance of a strong primary healthcare system in improving the wellbeing of families and communities. Primary healthcare remains the foundation of disease prevention, health promotion, immunisation, nutrition, and community health education,” she added.
The First Lady commended the Ministry of Health, the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, development partners, and healthcare workers for their contributions to the sector’s growth, urging award recipients to view the recognition as motivation to achieve even greater results.
Speaking at the event, Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, described the PHC Leadership Challenge as more than an award programme, noting that it was designed to inspire transformative leadership and improve healthcare outcomes across communities.
“This programme is not merely a competition; it is a call to action for all stakeholders to promote the health and wellbeing of our people through stronger and more responsive healthcare systems,” he said.
Dr. Obidike disclosed that the state has invested in strategic innovations over the past three years, including solar-powered facilities and improved water systems to enhance service delivery in primary healthcare centres.
He added that independent assessments conducted under the challenge had helped identify areas requiring improvement, particularly in documentation, monitoring, teamwork, and health systems management.
Representatives of development partners also commended the state’s progress in healthcare delivery.
The South-East Zonal Coordinator of the World Health Organization, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu, praised the strides being made in the health sector and urged residents to support government efforts while encouraging traditional rulers to safeguard public health infrastructure in their communities.
Representing UNICEF, Enugu Field Office,
Gloria Ogbonna described the event as evidence of good governance and a testament to Anambra’s commitment to improving health outcomes. She noted that Anambra had previously emerged as both the overall best-performing state and regional champion in national healthcare assessments.
The representative of Médecins Sans Frontières, Dr. Bob Makalande, also commended the partnership between the organization and the Anambra State Government, pledging continued support for healthcare programmes in the state.
Explaining the assessment process, consultant Mr. Shedrach Nwaekeagu said the PHC Leadership Challenge was established to strengthen leadership, coordination, innovation, and quality service delivery within primary healthcare facilities.
He explained that participants were evaluated through an evidence-based process conducted by independent assessors, verification agents, and judges to ensure transparency and fairness.
Areas assessed included leadership, programme management, teamwork, technical competence, documentation, data management, and evidence-based decision-making.
The event attracted traditional rulers, local government chairmen, healthcare professionals, civil society organizations, development partners, and community stakeholders from across Anambra State.
For participants, the ceremony served not only as a celebration of excellence but also as a reaffirmation of Anambra’s commitment to building a stronger, more efficient, and resilient primary healthcare system capable of meeting the needs of its growing population.
