Enugu State Government Trains 34 Healthcare Professionals to Boost Maternal Health

In a significant move to enhance maternal health care, the Enugu State Government has successfully trained 34 midwives and nurses for deployment to primary healthcare centers across the state. The training, conducted over eight days, provided intensive residential instruction aimed at equipping healthcare professionals with the necessary skills to address maternal health challenges.

Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, announced that the training is part of the broader "Enugu State Zero Maternal Mortality and Child Morbidity Initiative." This initiative aligns with Governor Peter Mbah's commitment to improving healthcare for Enugu State residents, particularly those in rural areas who constitute 70% of the population.

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Ani-Osheku emphasized the importance of adequately staffing primary healthcare facilities with well-trained professionals. With at least one primary healthcare facility per 260 political wards and a total of 560 facilities across the state, the goal is to ensure that healthcare providers possess modern knowledge, skills, and passion to deliver effective healthcare.

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As part of the repositioning strategy for the zero maternal mortality initiative, the training focused on emergency healthcare response and holistic maternal, child, and neonatal care. Dr. Paraclete Ugwu, the training coordinator and Head of Planning, Research, and Statistics at ENS-PHCDA, highlighted that each of the 17 council areas had two representatives undergoing the training.

The training covered Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care, along with other vital aspects of maternal, child, and neonatal care. Importantly, the program follows a "train-the-trainer" approach, facilitating the dissemination of knowledge to Community Health Extension Workers at primary healthcare facilities.

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Expressing gratitude for the training, Perpetua Ngwuoffor, a nurse serving at the Isi-enu Ugbawka Health Centre in Nkanu East LGA, emphasized how the program has equipped her to function effectively despite limited resources. The Enugu State Government, through ENS-PHCDA, remains committed to implementing practical programs and interventions to achieve the objectives of the initiative and improve overall healthcare delivery in the state.