Stakeholders Decry Low Patronage of Primary Healthcare Centers in Anambra, Urge Solution

By Praise Chinecherem

Stakeholders in health sector in Anambra state have decried increasing low patronage of primary healthcare centers (PHCs) across the state.

The stakeholders spoke at a meeting organized by Civil Rights Concern (CRC) in partnership with Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC) and Community Empowerment Network (COMEN), supported by the International Budget Partners.

The one-day engagement was aimed at tracking the approved budget releases and appreciate its contributions towards achieving the primary healthcare objectives, especially in maternal healthcare.

Executive Director, Civil Rights Concern (CRC), Okey Onyeka said the meeting was opportunity to share expenditure tracking report to citizens who would use the report on their own to engage for improved services.

“We’re also here to engage duty bearers with the reports for improved implementation as well as undertake media campaigns and mobilize citizens towards improved utilisation of the budget and the released funds,” he added.

Onyeka who lead the discussions advocated for stakeholders’ partnership with government sector to meet certain critical needs in the PHCs facilities.

According to him, such synergy would encourage improved use of the facilities in the wards, urging stakeholders to step down the discussions to their community people.

Executive Director, SIDEC, Ugochi Ehiahuruike expressed worry over residents’ patronage of PHCs only during antenatal, but resort to TBAs or private hospitals during delivery.

“Today’s meeting is to enable us look at how PHCs patronage can be boosted by getting community leaders, WDC, COMEN, women groups involved through sensitization of pregnant women to utilize the PHCs and to hold duty bearers accountable.

Also speaking, President General, Nagwu Development Union and Chairman, Anambra Town Union Council (ASTUC) Anambra Central, Prince Frank Nwegwu regretted lack of basic qualifications of certain OICs in the PHCs.

According to him, while some of those who brandish certificates lack cognitive experience, attitudes displayed by others in course of their duties are repulsive and antagonistic.

“Some bed attendants rarely apply courtesy while attending to patients. Some pregnant women hardly revisit the PHCs after their first experience.

Describing the engagement as crucial which offered participants opportunity to address several health management issues in the communities, Nwegwu stressed the need to cascade outcome to the grassroots.

On her part, ASTUC Secretary General, Women Wing, Lady Njide Anusi identified lack of doctors in handling special cases as well as unhygienic environment as factors contributing to PHCs’ low patronage.

She called for government intervention, as well as close monitoring and supervision of the facilities by community leaders to ensure workers sit up to their responsibilities.