By Amaka Okafor
The Ebonyi State Government has taken a major step toward improving maternal, newborn and child healthcare services with the validation of findings from a Rapid Facility Assessment (RFA) conducted under the Harmony Care Project, a health intervention designed to strengthen primary healthcare facilities across the state.
The two-day workshop in Abakaliki the state capital on Friday focused on reviewing assessment findings and jointly developing facility-specific implementation plans
was organized by Ebonyi State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Harmony Care Project and funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Charities.
Speaking during the event, the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery, describing the Harmony Care Project as a strategic intervention that aligns with Ebonyi’s ongoing primary healthcare revitalization agenda.
“HARMONY’s data-driven, locally-led model aligns with the state PHC revitalization agenda. We charge all stakeholders to take ownership of the outcomes and work together to ensure the success of the project,” Ekuma said.
The workshop, themed “Strengthening Antenatal, Postnatal, Newborn, and Family-Centered Care through Integrated Service Delivery,” brought together key stakeholders to build a shared understanding of the project, validate assessment findings, clarify responsibilities, and establish clear pathways for implementation.
Findings from the Rapid Facility Assessment revealed significant gaps in maternal and child healthcare services, including a sharp decline in patient attendance between antenatal and postnatal care, financial and transportation barriers affecting access to services, and the impact of gender norms and household dynamics on health-seeking behavior.
Participants noted that these challenges have continued to hinder efforts to reduce maternal and newborn mortality in the state, despite ongoing investments in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery. The workshop therefore developed practical recommendations aimed at addressing the identified gaps through coordinated stakeholder action.
On her part, Mrs. Ngozi Emechebe of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) reiterated the agency’s support for the initiative, stressing that the project complements ongoing national efforts to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.
“HARMONY’s approach complements national strategies for reducing maternal and newborn mortality and strengthening primary healthcare services across the country,” she stated.
At the end of the meeting, Jhpiego pledged to develop facility-specific implementation plans and conduct mentorship visits to ensure sustained progress toward reducing maternal and newborn deaths while improving the quality of healthcare services across Ebonyi State.
 conducted under the Harmony Care Project, a health intervention designed to strengthen primary healthcare facilities across the state.){kind=link}