By Tony Okafor, Awka
The Malaria Eradication and Safe Health Initiative (MESHI) has urged the Anambra State Government and other stakeholders to sustain the gains recorded under its Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) project following the completion of the intervention in three local government areas of the state.
The Executive Director of MESHI, Prof. Dennis Aribodor, made the call on Friday during the close-out ceremony of the project in Anambra State.
Aribodor said the project, implemented in partnership with Jhpiego and the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), had focused on promoting integrated sexual and reproductive health services, strengthening community awareness and improving referral pathways between healthcare facilities and communities.
The intervention was implemented in Aguata, Idemili South and Ogbaru local government areas.
He said the completion of the project should not be interpreted as the end of efforts to address sexual and reproductive health challenges, stressing that government agencies, healthcare workers, civil society organisations and community leaders must work together to preserve the progress recorded.
According to him, challenges including stigma, misinformation, inadequate awareness and weak referral systems still prevent many people from accessing essential healthcare services.
He identified young people seeking reliable health information, women requiring family planning services and survivors of gender-based violence needing protection and appropriate support as some of the groups whose needs informed the intervention.
The MESHI director also highlighted the importance of providing information and services relating to HIV, sexually transmitted infections, cervical cancer prevention and other essential reproductive health needs.
He said one of the major lessons from the project was that healthcare services could only make meaningful impact when people were aware of their availability, understood how to access them and were treated with dignity and respect.
Aribodor urged health facilities to maintain respectful and confidential service delivery, while encouraging civil society organisations and community structures to continue promoting awareness and appropriate referrals.
He also called on the media to use accurate and responsible reporting to challenge stigma, correct misinformation and educate communities on available health services.
While appreciating the Anambra State Government, particularly the Ministry of Health and the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, for their support, he commended Jhpiego, NASCP, healthcare workers, community volunteers, traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders for their contributions to the project.
He, however, acknowledged that some gaps might remain in public awareness, access to services, referral coordination, data documentation and the capacity of healthcare workers and community structures.
He said the close-out meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to examine the challenges, share experiences and identify practical measures for sustaining the project’s achievements beyond its implementation period.
Aribodor added that the success of public health interventions should not be measured merely by the number of activities conducted or reports produced, but by their impact on communities, particularly improved access to healthcare and people’s ability to seek services with dignity and confidence.
MESHI is a non-governmental organisation committed to promoting a malaria-free and healthy society.
It said it had been involved in health interventions for more than 20 years and had partnered with organisations including the World Health Organisation, Global Fund, UNICEF, Society for Family Health and Malaria Consortium.
