ASPHCDA marks end of year, with new publication, honours for staff

 

… Assures sustenance of qualitative primary health care delivery

 

From Left: Dr Chioma Ezenyimulu, Chairman of Board, ASPHCDA, Prof. J.O Ogbuagu presenting gift to one of the retirees, Dr. Kanayo Onalu

 

 

 ANAMBRA State Primary Health Care Development Agency,(ASPHCDA) has reinstated its commitment in providing quality and functional health care in all its facilities across the state as the state government is at the topnotch in advancing the agency.

 

  Speaking during end of the year and send forth party, which also featured launching of ASPHCDA Magazine and awards recognition to the staff of the agency, held Saturday, at Double Bliss Hotel, Awka, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of ASPHCDA, Chioma N. Ezenyimulu, noted that the agency, which was created and signed into law in 2015 by Chief Dr. Willie Obiano has not relented in coordinating primary health care activities in the state and in keeping  with the Primary Health Care Under One Role Policy of the federal government, qualifies  as one of the best states For Basic Health Care Provision Fund.

 

  Dr. Ezenyimulu stressed that the fund was given to the state because the state Primary Health Care Development Agency and Health Insurance Agency are functional and easily accessible, all by the efforts and hard work of the state government. “The Basic Health Care Provision Fund, which is one per cent of the consolidated revenue of the federation, goes to primary health care. We have paid out to the first set of the funds to the PHCs.

 Husband of ES and CEO of ASPHCDA, Dr. Chris Ezenyimulu (third right),

These has seen one PHC per ward receiving funds directly from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for infrastructure upgrade and provision of basic medical equipment and consumables in the primary health centres. Anambra State has 326 political wards and we are given extra wards.   This is just to show that primary healthcare is moving on to have others come on board”.

 

The executive secretary lauded the board members, led by Prof J.O Ogbuagu, for spearheading the publication of ASPHCDA Magazine and called on the state government for provision of permanent office space for the agency. “We have strong board members and management team. We have an office accommodation but we are still pleading with His Excellency to give us a permanent office accommodation and we have to have the local government health tag under the agency. So that was the reason the health department of the 21 local government areas were moved to the agency.

 

As we are today, all the 21 local government health authorities, the health workers and the PHCs are all under the agency. We have their files and we are doing their promotions, transfers, among others. The road has not been easy but we thank God for where we are today. Each of the facilities that qualify for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund is currently accessing fund.”

 

  Dr Ezenyimulu expressed that the agency dimmed it necessary to use the occasion as an opportunity to appreciate some members of   ASPHCDA who retired between last year and this year, including the Director PHC, Dunkofia Local Government Health Authority (LGHA), Dr. John Mgbenwelu, the Director, PHC Ayamelum LGHA, Mrs. Esther Nebeife, Social Mob and State Health Educator, Mrs. Scholastica Okoli, the state Immunisation  Officer (SIO), Mrs. Florence Anene, the state Breast Feeding Co-ordinator, Mrs. Stella Ekwedike, the Head of Department, Community Health Service ASPHCDA, Dr. Kanayo  Onalu, the Director, PHC Idemili South, Mrs. Ego Okafor, the Director, PHC Idemili North, Mr Anthony Onyeka and to  honour the  outstanding best  staff of the year, including  Ijeoma Nnaji , overall best staff of the year, Anita Uwaoma Osondu , who came  second, followed by Beatrice Mgbike, third position, while  Amaka Mmaduka and Nkechi Ezeagba came fourth

 

Chairman of the Board who also chaired the Occasion, J.O. Ogbuagu, expressed delight that the agency is becoming more visible with the unveiling of the information bulletin to tell more about the activities of the agency.

 

  Prof. Ogbuagu, while praising the state government for the basic health care fund, advised the staff to build on what they have and also encouraged the retirees to use all the medical experience and knowledge that they have acquired over the years to continue serving the communities where they are till the end of their lives. He also stressed on the need for the public to take their health paramount, especially at this festive period by adhering to all precautionary health measures and eating healthy.

 

  The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Anambra Newspaper and Printing Corporation (ANPC), publisher of National Light, Ka O Di Taa and SportlightXTRA newspapers, Sir Chuka Nnabuife commended the executive secretary for competently handling the affairs of the agency, especially during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and promised to work in synergy with the agency in enlightening and educating ndi Anambra on health related issue.

 

In his contribution, Director, (Public Service Office) Office of the Head of Service, Dr. Adebayo Ojeyinka described the event as colourful and fantastic, admonishing the awardees to keep living up to the standards and expectations.

 

  Speaking on behalf of the retirees, Dr.Onalu showed gratitude to the agency for celebrating and making the day memorable. “I thank God for where I am today. The journey has been interesting and I am encouraging every person that once it’s time to move over to the other side, let there not be fear of the unknown; cross over. I urge those that I am leaving behind to always leave an indelible mark; try as much as possible to leave it better than you met it”.

 

The best staff of the year, Nnaji, on her part, stated that the three yardsticks used in choosing her as the best deserving staff of the year are based on punctuality, hard work and being respectful, adding that she feels happy and dedicated the honour to the loving memory of her late mother, who taught her from the cradle to always abide by good ethics where ever she finds herself in the society.

 

  Others who were at  the event were board members and management of ASPHCDA, directors of PHCs, senior special advisers, ASPHCDA and retirees of ASPHCDA, top government officials, dignitaries, friends and well-wishers of the agency.