Mbah’s Commissioner Showcases State’s Development Achievements at Int’l Forum

Prof. George Ugwu, Enugu State Commissioner for Health, has highlighted Governor Peter Mbah’s healthcare and urban development initiatives at a recent international policy and research event in Accra, Ghana.

The event, organized by the Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, and supported by CHORUS Research on Urban Health (UK) and the Health Policy Research Group, UNN, brought together policymakers, researchers, and medical professionals from the UK, Nepal, Bangladesh, Ghana, and Nigeria.

Prof. Ugwu presented a comprehensive overview of Enugu State’s progress in healthcare delivery, urban planning, and workforce development.

He noted that the state is constructing 260 new Type-2 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across all political wards, while upgrading existing facilities to provide comprehensive services, including antenatal care, immunization, basic surgical care, and treatment of common illnesses.

“The establishment of these PHCs has created employment for over 450 health workers, including nurses, midwives, laboratory scientists, and pharmacists,” he said, adding that an additional 2,200 Primary Healthcare Community Workers (PHCWs) have been approved to address a 61.2 per cent personnel shortage.

Prof. Ugwu also highlighted urban development efforts aimed at improving living conditions in slum areas, citing the Agu-Owa and Ugbo-Lawrence slums as pilot projects.

The initiatives include modern housing units, paved roads, electricity, water supply, and recreational facilities.

During a panel session, Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, showcased the impact of electronic medical records and research on improving PHC services.

She also discussed the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), which has contributed to reducing maternal and child mortality and addressing immunization misconceptions in the state.

The presentations underscored Enugu State’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding access to quality services, and leveraging research and technology to improve health outcomes.