Soludo Celebrates Anambra’s Healthcare Revolution, Honours PHC Excellence Champions

The Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has described the state’s Primary Healthcare (PHC) Leadership Challenge Award as a powerful affirmation of the collective commitment of government, development partners, and communities to building a responsive, accountable, and people-centred healthcare system.
Mrs. Soludo made the remarks during the PHC Leadership Challenge Fund Award Ceremony for Local Government Areas in Anambra State, where outstanding local government chairmen, healthcare personnel, facilities, and managers were recognised for excellence in primary healthcare delivery.
She noted that the initiative has become an important platform for promoting excellence, innovation, and leadership at the grassroots level, while fostering healthy competition among healthcare providers.
According to her, the event reflects the significant progress recorded under the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo in strengthening primary healthcare through strategic investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and service delivery.
“By celebrating outstanding performance, we inspire greater dedication and reinforce the values that drive sustainable development in our health sector,” she said.
Mrs. Soludo further noted that the state has witnessed remarkable improvements in primary healthcare through sustained investments in health infrastructure, the recruitment and training of healthcare personnel, the upgrading of health facilities, improved access to essential medicines, and strengthened maternal and child healthcare services.
She emphasised that healthcare remains a critical pillar of sustainable development and observed that residents across communities are increasingly enjoying improved access to quality healthcare services.
“As the founder of the Healthy Living Initiative, I understand the importance of a strong primary healthcare system in improving the wellbeing of families and communities. It is the foundation of disease prevention, health promotion, immunisation, maternal and child healthcare services, nutrition, and community health education,” she stated.
Mrs. Soludo commended the Ministry of Health, the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, development partners, and other stakeholders for their continued support of initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery across the state.
She also urged award recipients to regard the recognition as motivation for greater service, stressing that excellence should be viewed as a continuous journey rather than a final destination.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said the gathering was organised to celebrate leadership, innovation, and excellence in the health sector.
According to him, the PHC Leadership Challenge is more than a competition; it is a call to action for all stakeholders to work collaboratively toward improving the health and wellbeing of the people through stronger, more responsive healthcare systems.
Dr. Obidike stated that over the past three years, the state government has pursued strategic innovations across primary healthcare facilities, including investments in solar power systems and water infrastructure to enhance service delivery.
“The improvements are becoming visible across communities. During a recent interaction with a journalist, he expressed surprise at the level of transformation witnessed in some of our health facilities,” he said.
In a goodwill message, the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu, commended the progress being recorded in Anambra State’s health sector and called on residents to support government efforts.
“I want to say to Ndi Anambra that your health sector is moving forward and making progress. The government needs your support,” he said.
He particularly urged traditional rulers to help safeguard public infrastructure provided by the government, describing them as key custodians and drivers of community development.
Representing the UNICEF Enugu Field Office, Gloria Ogbonna congratulated Anambra State for what she described as clear evidence of good governance, particularly in the health sector.
She noted that the award ceremony recognised the dedication, commitment, and hard work of stakeholders who have contributed significantly to improved health outcomes across the state.
“This recognition will motivate healthcare workers to sustain their efforts while encouraging greater responsiveness and excellence in service delivery,” she said.
Ogbonna further stated that Anambra has distinguished itself nationally by emerging as both the overall best-performing state and regional champion in previous healthcare assessments.
“We reaffirm UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the state as we congratulate Governor Soludo, healthcare workers, and the people of Anambra on the achievements recorded so far,” she added.
The representative of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Dr. Bob Makalande, also praised the strong partnership between the organisation and the Anambra State Government.
He pledged continued collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Office of the First Lady to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes for residents.
“We appreciate the support you give to our work. We are proud to be part of Anambra, and we promise to do even more,” he said.
Providing insight into the selection process for award recipients, one of the consultants for the PHC Leadership Challenge, Mr. Shedrach Nwaekeagu, explained that the initiative was designed to strengthen leadership, coordination, accountability, and quality service delivery across primary healthcare facilities in the state.
He said the assessment process placed strong emphasis on evidence, transparency, and objectivity.
According to him, claims made by participants at the state, local government, and community levels were thoroughly verified through documented evidence, while independent assessors, verification agents, and judges ensured fairness and credibility throughout the exercise.
Nwaekeagu disclosed that the assessment criteria included capacity building, coordination, teamwork, innovation, programme management, technical competence, documentation, data management, and evidence-based decision-making.
He further revealed that only qualified personnel with valid professional licences and verified employment status were eligible to participate in the exercise.
“We ensured a transparent process. There was no interference from the state government or any individual,” he stated.
The ceremony attracted traditional rulers, local government chairmen, healthcare workers, civil society organisations, development partners, and other stakeholders from across the state.
For many participants, the event not only celebrated excellence but also reinforced Anambra State’s determination to build a stronger, more efficient, and people-centred primary healthcare system capable of meeting the healthcare needs of every community and advancing sustainable development across the state.