The Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Health has commenced investigation into the basic healthcare provision fund of the Federal Government accessed by Anambra State from 2020 till date with a view to ascertaining how the fund was expended.
Already, the Committee had met with the chairmen of Ward Development Committees and officers incharge of the three hundred and thirty two health centres across the State.
addressing the gathering, the chairman of the Committee, Dr. Carter Umeoduagu said investigation showed that Anambra State has accessed over eight hundred million naira of the fund from 2020 till date,adding that the essence of the meeting was to ascertain if the funds were used for its purpose.
In her reaction, the Officer incharge of Enugwu-Aguleri Primary Health Centre, Mrs Elizabeth Mabia disclosed that they accessed the fund from 2020 to 2021 and it was used for the procurement of facilities required in the primary health centre and repairs on the facility.
On his part, the chairman of Ward Development Committee for Uruogidi Facility, Mr. Obiora Unobuagha noted that they accessed the fund in 2021 and it was used to meet the needs of the facility and called for the posting of more nurses to the centre for efficient service delivery.
In her submission, the officer incharge of Isiafor Primary Health Centre, Onitsha Mrs. Edith Aniekwe confirmed that they have accessed the funds for 2021 and 2022 and explained that their basic health care provision fund for year 2021 has been used for procurement of facilities needed at the primary health centre and repairs on the facility, while that of 2022 has not been used.
The Committee however gathered that most of the primary health centers in the state have accessed the fund this year but are yet to spend the money.
Responding, the Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Chioma Ezenyimulu revealed that the basic health care provision fund is contained in the National Health Act of 2014, which stipulates that one percent of the consolidated revenue of the Federal Government should go to primary health care and disclosed that Anambra State has accessed the fund from 2020 till date and it was evenly distributed to all the primary health centers across the state
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