Stakeholders under the Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge (SPARK 2) Project have expressed commitment to addressing high maternal and neonatal mortality through community-driven accountability.
They made the pledge in Awka, Anambra state, at a one-day review and reflection meeting on improved maternal and child health service delivery across Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in the state.
The SPARK 2 Project, supported by the International Budget Partnership, is implemented in Anambra by four partners — Justice, Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) Nnewi, Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), Civil Rights Concern (CRC), and the Community Empowerment Network (COMEN).
Speaking at the event, Executive Director, SIDEC, Ugochi Ehiahuruike, said the engagement was centered on maternal and child healthcare service delivery, using Basic Healthcare Provision Funds facilities as an entry point.
According to her, the meeting was an opportunity for partners to deepen engagement and consolidate gains.
“The engagement is not just a routine review, but a deliberate effort to measure change, as well as an opportunity to ‘harvest results,’ evaluate impact, and map out future interventions.
“Although the core campaign ended in December, an additional three-month extension allowed partners to deepen engagement and consolidate gains.
“What we are doing here is taking stock, understanding what has worked, what has changed, and what needs to happen next.
“A central pillar of the SPARK 2 intervention has been capacity building at the grassroots level,” she added.
While noting the training of community members, particularly those in Ward Development Committees (WDCs) on leadership, accountability, and effective engagement with government actors, SIDEC boss expressed joy that the move has already started yielding results.
Programme Manager for SPARK at JDPC Nnewi, Onyekachi Ololo, assured further training for the Officers-in-Charge (OICs) and WDCs on their responsibilities towards providing universal health coverage, expressing confidence in their capacity to deliver on their mandate.
“We’re also working closely with the Ministry of Health and Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ANSPHCDA), including providing them with information and necessary services.
“We’re building the capacity of community members to understand what services should be available at PHCs, to track health budgets, and to report gaps to those responsible.
“Efforts are being made to ensure the voices of pregnant women, nursing mothers, and persons with disabilities are heard. Our anticipation is that with all these, there will be a reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality in the state,” he added.
