The Anambra State Government on Tuesday began the recruitment of community-based health workers to boost grassroots healthcare in the state.
The recruitment which took place in Awka, was carried out by state’s Primary Healthcare Development Agency(ASPHCDA) in partnership with Ministry of Health and National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).
Speaking to journalists, Mrs Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, said the recruitment exercise was strengthen access to affordable healthcare in rural areas.
Uchem said: “This is part of government efforts to boost primary healthcare by recruiting and deploying qualified personnel to communities.
“It will help bridge the gap between residents and health facilities, ensuring that basic services reach people at the grassroots.
“I urged successful applicants to carry out their duties with compassion and integrity, because any form of negligence can cost lives.
“I also want to cautioned that anyone caught using forged certificates during the recruitment process would face the law.”
Also speaking, Dr Obiagelu Uchebo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, said the workers would help care for the sick, direct residents to health centres and support expectant mothers to ensure safe deliveries.
She explained that the recruitment aimed to reduce maternal mortality, stillbirths, and other preventable deaths.
“At least 10 community-based health workers would be assigned to each ward across the state to address the shortage of staff in primary healthcare centres, “she said.