Anambra PHCs still underfunded amidst interventions'
The TB Network State Advocacy Team (SAT) has expressed concerns over chronic underfunding of Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in Anambra State despite multiple government interventions and support from development partners.
The TB Network State Advocacy Team (SAT) has expressed concerns over chronic underfunding of Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in Anambra State despite multiple government interventions and support from development partners.
The body regretted that the development had undermined service delivery and health outcomes across the state.
State Program Officer, Onyekachi Ololo, raised the alarm during advocacy engagement at the Ministry of Health’s Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) Department as part of ongoing stakeholder collaboration under the Integrated Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) Project.
While making presentation on PHC funding and service delivery gaps, Ololo said, "despite various funding streams and support interventions from government agencies and partners, PHCs in the state remain significantly underfunded.
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“This persistent underfunding is reflected in service output, quality of care, and the availability of essential resources.”
Ololo emphasized the need for strengthened research and documentation on trends in the three major disease areas—AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), and Malaria—particularly at the community level where service delivery is most fragile.
He called for PRS support to enhance operational research, evidence-based reporting, and facility-level data collection to inform better planning and decision-making.
Highlighting the grassroots reach of the initiative, Ololo explained that the TB Network currently operates nine Community-Led Monitors across three Local Government Areas—Onitsha North, Idemili North, and Dunukofia—covering nine communities and nine PHCs.
"Community-Led Monitors are working with stakeholders to promote health-seeking behavior, adherence to treatment protocols, early case detection and referral, and improved PHC readiness for better outcomes," he said.
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Earlier, State Project Coordinator, Mrs. Ify Unachukwu, while elaborating on the CLM approach noted that trained community actors monitor service delivery performance, document evidence, and engage duty bearers to drive improvements.
“This initiative strengthens community participation and ownership of PHCs while promoting accountability in service delivery,” she said.
Unachukwu emphasized the critical role of the PRS Department, describing it as central to generating quality data for planning, policy formulation, and resource allocation.
She called for continuous cooperation to ensure that grassroots data complements the Ministry’s planning processes, strengthens reporting systems, and improves PHC outcomes.
Responding, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. John Paul Onyekinaso, commended the TB Network for supporting health system improvement through community participation.
He expressed satisfaction with the project’s clarity and strategic approach, highlighting its alignment with the Anambra State Government’s Solution Agenda, which prioritizes strengtheni
