Group Calls for Transparent Application of Basic Healthcare Fund in Anambra PHCs
By Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) advocating for improved Primary Health Care (PHC) services in Anambra State has called for the transparent and accountable utilization of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) across the state’s primary healthcare centers.
The coalition, which includes the Tuberculosis (TB) Network and other partners, made this call during an advocacy visit to the Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA).
Speaking on behalf of the group, Ify Unachukwu, the State ATM Network Coordinator, emphasized the need for efficient and transparent deployment of the BHCPF at the facility level.
She noted the urgent need for the consistent availability of consumables and essential drugs in many PHC centers.
Unachukwu, who was represented by Onyekachi Ololo, the State Program Officer, also highlighted the importance of accurate and thorough documentation by Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of healthcare facilities.
She stressed that reliable records are vital for tracking health outcomes and informing policy decisions.
The coalition further advocated for making PHC facilities more gender-responsive, calling for service delivery that is inclusive, safe, and attentive to the needs of women, girls, and persons with disabilities.
The group also urged improvements in maternal and child health services, particularly through stronger referral systems to secondary health facilities, in order to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths.
In her response, the Executive Secretary of ASPHCDA expressed appreciation for the CSOs’ sustained advocacy and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to enhancing the flow and accountability of BHCPF utilization.
She assured the delegation that measures would be implemented to improve oversight of OICs’ documentation practices and to integrate gender-responsive approaches into PHC service delivery.
The advocacy visit concluded with a shared understanding that CSOs would continue to monitor accountability frameworks, conduct field visits, and organize capacity-building sessions for OICs focusing on documentation and gender-sensitive service delivery.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing advocacy for sustainable financing and the effective delivery of PHC services across Anambra State.
