The Anambra State Government has pledged to strengthen its partnership with reproductive health organisation IPAS to reduce unsafe abortions, expand access to contraception and improve maternal healthcare under a new six-to-seven-year programme.
The State Commissioner for Health, Obidike, made this known in Awka while receiving an IPAS delegation led by its Co-Director, Samsu Gombwer. The delegation also included a former Commissioner for Health in the state, Professor Brian Adinma.
Obidike said Anambra was pleased to be selected as one of five priority states under the programme, which involves eight participating states.
He assured that the government would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to strengthen reproductive and maternal health services, stressing that the programme’s long-term objectives would require sustained commitment, effective coordination and cooperation among government agencies and healthcare providers.
The commissioner also highlighted the importance of expanding access to contraception and family planning services, noting that improved reproductive healthcare could help reduce maternal deaths and improve women’s health.
He expressed optimism that the partnership would complement existing state initiatives and ensure that more women receive appropriate reproductive health services.
Gombwer said IPAS had collaborated with the Anambra State Ministry of Health over the past two years, supporting policy dissemination and training healthcare workers in post-abortion care and contraceptive services.
He explained that the new programme would focus on three key areas: policy development and implementation, community engagement, and health system strengthening.
According to him, IPAS plans to extend its support to about 20 additional health facilities, building on interventions already carried out in 19 facilities across the state.
Gombwer added that implementation would begin with stakeholder consultations and a health system assessment, followed by baseline assessments and the training of state-level trainers.
