The Anambra State Government has received a consignment of Comprehensive Emergency Maternal and Newborn Care (CEmONC) equipment from the Federal Government under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) initiative to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare services across the state.
The medical equipment was officially received by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, during a distribution exercise held at the Central Medical Store of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Obidike described the intervention as a major boost to healthcare delivery in the state. He commended the Federal Government and the SWAp initiative for supporting efforts to reduce maternal and newborn mortality, noting that the equipment would improve emergency obstetric and newborn care in beneficiary hospitals.
He added that the intervention complements Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s ongoing investments in the health sector and assured that the equipment would be properly installed, maintained and effectively utilised to improve healthcare outcomes for mothers and newborns.
Earlier, the Anambra State SWAp Desk Officer, Dr. Obi Chioma, explained that the intervention is aimed at strengthening the capacity of health facilities to provide quality emergency maternal and newborn care while reducing preventable maternal and infant deaths.
According to her, the equipment includes delivery beds, delivery couches, laryngoscopes, refrigerators, blood storage systems, phototherapy machines, radiant warmers, incubators and other essential medical devices required for safe deliveries and the management of newborn complications.
She disclosed that the equipment would be distributed to five secondary healthcare facilities across the state’s three senatorial districts, namely General Hospital Nnobi, General Hospital Enugwu-Ukwu, General Hospital Umueri, General Hospital Ekwulobia and General Hospital Umunze.
Dr. Chioma expressed confidence that the intervention would significantly improve maternal and newborn healthcare services and contribute to reducing preventable deaths in Anambra State.
The distribution exercise was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, Chief Medical Officers of the beneficiary hospitals, including Dr. Dozie Udeolisa, and other senior health officials.
