Anambra State to Hire 250 Health Workers to Boost Primary Care Services

The Anambra State Government is set to recruit 250 new health workers to improve primary healthcare services. This decision comes in response to concerns about staff absenteeism and a lack of commitment among some workers in public health facilities.

The recruitment will include 200 Community Health Extension Workers and 50 midwives. Dr. Chizoba Ezeasor, the Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, announced this plan during a workshop in Awka aimed at strengthening maternal and child health systems.

Ezeasor emphasized that the new hires will be chosen based on their qualifications and willingness to live in the communities where they will work. This approach aims to enhance healthcare access and accountability at the local level. She also stressed that political factors should not influence the selection process, insisting that only qualified professionals should be hired.

Concerns were raised about some health facility managers not being present at their jobs. Ezeasor called for more discipline among health workers, stating that the quality of care is more important than just the number of facilities or staff available. She urged healthcare providers to ensure that pregnant women receive timely and respectful care.

The workshop was part of the Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge (SPARK II) project, which aims to create a structured feedback system for community members to report on healthcare services. This initiative will help identify issues and improve the overall healthcare experience.

Community feedback is seen as vital for understanding patient experiences and addressing complaints. The project will also provide tools for community representatives to document and track issues in healthcare delivery.

Local leaders and health officials expressed the need for ongoing efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality rates, highlighting that primary healthcare is essential for a strong health system. They called for better oversight and accountability among health workers to ensure improvements in service delivery.