WHO, UNICEF Hail Mbah’s Primary Healthcare Reforms As Enugu Records Major Gains

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have commended Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his administration's sustained investment in primary healthcare, describing it as a model for improving healthcare delivery and strengthening public health systems.

The commendation came during the combined 2026 Biannual Meeting and Supportive Supervisory Visit led by Governor Mbah to the Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centre in Ihe Ward, Nsukka Local Government Area, where stakeholders also highlighted significant improvements in healthcare access and service delivery across the state.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ENSPHDA), Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, disclosed that annual visits to Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) had risen from 800,000 to over 1.4 million, representing an 80 per cent increase. She also revealed that Penta-3 immunisation coverage had increased from 78.5 per cent to 88.9 per cent, surpassing the national target of 85 per cent.

According to her, the Mbah administration has constructed 260 new PHCs—one in each ward across the state—equipped them with 3,380 hospital beds and 520 baby cots, and recruited 2,250 healthcare workers, with doctors deployed to head the facilities.

She added that the percentage of women delivering safely in health facilities increased from 40.9 per cent to 59.3 per cent within six months, while malaria treatment coverage expanded significantly. The state has also digitised its PHCs, reduced patient waiting time by nearly 70 per cent, increased the availability of essential medicines, and introduced ultrasound services at ward-level health facilities.

The South East Zonal Coordinator of WHO Nigeria, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igbonekwu, described Governor Mbah's routine supervisory visits to health facilities as a strong demonstration of leadership that promotes accountability, staff motivation and continuous improvement in service delivery.

He praised the Enugu State Government for prioritising investment in the health sector and creating an enabling environment for effective implementation of public health programmes, while reaffirming WHO's commitment to supporting the state's efforts to build a resilient healthcare system.

Similarly, the Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Enugu, Juliet Chiluwe, represented by Health Logistics Consultant, Dr. Charles Abel, commended the governor's commitment to strengthening primary healthcare.

She said the regular oversight visits reflected a leadership that places the health and well-being of citizens, particularly women and children, at the centre of governance, assuring the state of UNICEF's continued partnership.

Addressing traditional rulers, women leaders and other stakeholders during separate interactive sessions, Governor Mbah said his administration deliberately invested in building one fully equipped PHC in each of the state's 260 wards to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare.

He expressed satisfaction with the impact of the investment, noting that improved primary healthcare services had contributed to reducing maternal mortality. The governor reiterated his administration's goal of achieving zero maternal deaths during childbirth.

"No woman should die giving birth in any part of Enugu State," he declared.

Governor Mbah also urged community leaders to intensify public awareness on immunisation, antenatal and postnatal care, promote enrolment in the state's universal health insurance scheme, monitor service delivery at healthcare facilities, and promptly report identified challenges to the appropriate authorities.

He further assured residents that advanced diagnostic services, including MRI, CT scan and other radiological facilities, would soon be available at the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS) Teaching Hospital to reduce the need for patients to travel to Enugu metropolis for specialised healthcare.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Engr. Jude Asogwa, the Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Sunday Okafor, and the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, lauded the governor's commitment to transforming the state's healthcare sector.

They described the administration's investments as a significant step towards expanding access to quality healthcare and improving health outcomes for residents across Enugu State.