FIC Report (Anambra State) – The Anambra State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality through strengthened collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other development partners.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Ministry of Health’s Data Operations Centre (DOC), Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka, saying the state government remains determined to eliminate preventable maternal deaths and improve access to quality healthcare services for women and children.
According to him, the government is considering a comprehensive household mapping exercise to generate accurate population data that will support evidence-based planning, efficient resource allocation and improved healthcare delivery across the state.
The meeting reviewed the state’s maternal and child health performance for June 2026. Presentations were delivered by the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) Desk Officer, Mrs. Ijeoma Ikeanyionwu; the State Immunisation Officer, Mrs. Edith Onwuka; and the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Chuma Emembolu.
Data presented at the meeting showed that Anambra continues to outperform the national average on key maternal health indicators. Fourth-visit antenatal care coverage stood at 84.9 per cent, facility-based deliveries at 83.2 per cent, and skilled birth attendance at 91.8 per cent.
Postnatal care coverage also remained impressive, reaching 73.2 per cent for mothers and 71.2 per cent for newborns.
The UNICEF delegation, led by Health Manager Martin Dohlshen and Health Specialist Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo, participated in discussions focused on strengthening maternal and child health systems, improving data quality and enhancing healthcare service delivery.
Speaking during the meeting, UNICEF Health Systems Specialist, Dr. Emmanuel Emedo, commended the state government for the progress recorded in reducing maternal and child mortality. However, He, called for improvements in health information management, describing the continued use of the “Black Book” reporting system as a major challenge, stressing the need for accurate birth registration and stronger disease surveillance.
The performance review identified persistent concerns over neonatal and child mortality, as well as discrepancies in death reporting between the District Health Information System (DHIS2) and the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) platforms, indicating that maternal and neonatal deaths remain underreported.
The report highlighted challenges affecting immunisation in some Local Government Areas (LGA), including cold-chain failures, gaps in digital reporting and the growing number of zero-dose children, noting that surveillance teams continue to monitor priority diseases such as measles, yellow fever, acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), Lassa fever and Mpox across the state.
To address these challenges, the state government announced plans to strengthen emergency obstetric care, improve referral systems, expand disease surveillance infrastructure and enhance primary healthcare services.
In her closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, commended UNICEF, other development partners, stakeholders and frontline health workers for their unwavering commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes in Anambra State.
Ikeji Emeka
Senior information and public relations officer
FIRC, Awka
29/6/2026
