The Anambra State Government on Thursday rewarded outstanding local government leaders and healthcare workers for exceptional performance in primary healthcare delivery.
Anaocha Local Government Area emerged overall winner at the Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge Fund Award Ceremony held in Awka, the state capital.
The event was organised by the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with development partners.
It was designed to promote leadership, innovation, accountability and excellence in primary healthcare services across the state’s 21 local government areas.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said the initiative was aimed at strengthening leadership and accountability at the grassroots level while improving healthcare outcomes through innovative solutions and healthy competition among local government authorities.
According to him, the award programme serves as a platform to celebrate individuals and local governments that have demonstrated commitment to improving primary healthcare services and advancing the well-being of residents.
Dr. Obidike commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for prioritising healthcare through strategic investments in primary healthcare centres, healthcare infrastructure and personnel development.
The commissioner noted that the interventions have positioned Anambra among the leading states in primary healthcare delivery in the South-East region.
He also praised the wife of the governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, for complementing government efforts through her Healthy Living Initiative, which promotes preventive healthcare and healthy lifestyles among residents.
In her remarks, Dr. Nonye Soludo described the award ceremony as a reflection of the state’s commitment to building a healthcare system that is responsive, accountable, innovative and people-centred.
She commended the Ministry of Health, the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, development partners and other stakeholders for sustaining initiatives that recognise excellence and strengthen healthcare service delivery at the grassroots.
The Anambra First Lady noted that the Soludo administration has recorded significant progress in the health sector through investments in health infrastructure, recruitment and training of healthcare personnel, improved access to essential medicines, upgraded primary healthcare centres and enhanced maternal and child healthcare services.
According to her, strong primary healthcare remains the foundation for disease prevention, immunisation, nutrition, maternal and child care, health promotion and community health education.
She urged stakeholders to sustain collaborative efforts aimed at improving healthcare outcomes and building a healthier population across the state.
At the award presentation, the Chairman of Anaocha Local Government Area, Mr. Rome Ibekwe, emerged the overall winner of the PHC Leadership Challenge and received a cash prize of N3 million.
The Chairman of Ihiala Local Government Area, Mr. Anayo Orjiakor, came second and received N2 million, while the Chairman of Oyi Local Government Area, Dr. Emma Nweke, secured third position and received N1 million.
Other award recipients included Dr. Amadi Chibuike, who won the Best Telemedicine Doctor Award, and Chukwuma Ifeoma, who emerged HIV Best Desk Officer. Both received cash prizes of N200,000 each.
Mrs. Edith Onwuka was honoured as the Best Programme Manager in the state and received a cash reward of N300,000.
Representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) delivered goodwill messages at the event, commending Anambra State’s efforts in strengthening primary healthcare delivery and encouraging sustained investment in the sector.
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