UMUAHIA — Abia State Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, has called on healthcare workers and stakeholders to strengthen accountability, improve service delivery, and promote community ownership of health facilities as the state intensifies efforts to build a more efficient primary healthcare system.

Emetu made the call on Tuesday while declaring open the Second Quarter Primary Health Care Review Meeting held at the Government House, Umuahia.

The Deputy Governor reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Alex Otti’s administration to strengthening primary healthcare across the state, describing quality healthcare as a key pillar of the government’s development agenda.

He commended stakeholders for the progress recorded in immunisation coverage, renovation of health facilities, increased utilisation of healthcare services, and improved community engagement, noting that the achievements reflect the positive impact of collaboration among government, development partners and local communities.

According to him, the gains recorded so far are encouraging indicators that ongoing interventions in the health sector are yielding results.

Despite the progress, Emetu identified staff absenteeism, poor community ownership of health facilities, vandalism of equipment, gaps in outreach services and delays in diagnostic processes as major challenges requiring urgent attention.

He stressed that the government’s goal goes beyond improving performance statistics, insisting that every Abia resident must have access to affordable, quality and timely healthcare services.

“Our responsibility is not merely to improve statistics but to ensure that every resident of Abia State has access to quality, affordable and timely primary healthcare services,” he said.

The Deputy Governor further urged stakeholders to strengthen accountability mechanisms, ensure prudent use of resources and focus on translating policies into measurable outcomes that directly benefit communities.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Kalu Ulu Kalu, described the review meeting as a critical platform for assessing ongoing programmes and deepening collaboration among stakeholders.

While acknowledging the support of the state government and development partners, Kalu expressed concern over persistent cases of absenteeism and poor work ethics among some healthcare personnel.

He disclosed that supervisory teams monitoring health facilities across the state had continued to uncover cases of absenteeism and non-compliance with official responsibilities, calling for stricter disciplinary measures to address the situation.

Kalu also emphasised the need for stronger community participation in safeguarding healthcare infrastructure and urged traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to take greater ownership of health facilities within their domains.

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mr. Ephraim Chukwu commended the state government’s commitment to improving primary healthcare, particularly in the area of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination.

He disclosed that Abia currently records about 40 per cent HPV vaccination coverage, describing the achievement as a significant milestone in efforts to protect young girls against cervical cancer.

Chukwu noted that UNICEF has continued to support routine immunisation programmes, data quality assessments and monitoring of school health clubs across the state.

Also speaking, the State Coordinator representing the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Mrs. Nwanehiudo Kelechi, praised the collaboration among stakeholders and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Abia in strengthening its primary healthcare system.

She said the agency has sustained support through integrated supportive supervision programmes, data-tracking initiatives and World Bank-backed interventions aimed at improving service delivery and healthcare monitoring at the grassroots.

Similarly, the representative of John Snow Incorporated (JSI), Dr. Amuzie Chidinma, lauded the state’s efforts in expanding HPV vaccination coverage and strengthening routine immunisation.

She stated that JSI has continued to partner health authorities in conducting data quality assessments, supporting school health programmes and promoting awareness campaigns targeted at reducing the burden of cervical cancer among women and girls.

Stakeholders at the meeting reviewed second-quarter performance reports, assessed the implementation of resolutions reached during the first-quarter review and discussed strategies for addressing emerging challenges within the healthcare system.

Among those in attendance were the Deputy Mayor of Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Hon. Ifeanyi Njoko, representing the Mayor and Chairman of ALGON in Abia State; the representative of the Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Eze Elder Odum Amogu; healthcare administrators, religious leaders and other key stakeholders.