The Anambra State Government has reported 102,643 deliveries and 343 Cesarean Sections in the 18 months since the introduction of its free antenatal care and delivery policy.
Dr. Afam Obidike, the State Commissioner for Health, shared the figures in Awka on Friday. He also highlighted that the policy, launched by Governor Chukwuma Soludo on September 5, 2023, offers free antenatal care and delivery services to expectant mothers for the remainder of his administration.
Obidike emphasized the state’s significant investments in healthcare, noting that Anambra now has one of the lowest maternal mortality rates in the country. He added that pregnant women from other states are even coming to Anambra to register for care.
The state government has recruited over 1,000 health workers, built new hospitals, and upgraded and equipped existing ones to ensure better access to quality and affordable healthcare. Health workers, including consultants, doctors, and nurses, receive competitive monthly salaries, with consultants earning N500,000, doctors nearly N250,000, and nurses over N100,000.
The commissioner also mentioned that the government has made strides in the education sector, recruiting 8,115 teachers, upgrading public schools, and empowering youth through the “One Youth, Two Skills” program. In total, the Soludo administration has hired more than 9,000 workers, who will continue to receive benefits until retirement.
Obidike pointed out that no government in the state’s history has made such sustained investments in human capital development.
Governor Soludo described the free antenatal care and delivery policy as part of his administration’s efforts to ease the hardships faced by Anambra residents and ensure better healthcare access, particularly at the grassroots level.