Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has reiterated his administration’s commitment to revamping the Healthcare sector in the State, with a pledge to sustain investments that would upgrade Healthcare Institutions and improve service delivery.
Governor Otti who stated this, during the January Edition of the Monthly Media Parley tagged Governor Otti Speaks to Abians”, held at the Banquet Hall, Government House Umuahia, said his Government is making massive investments in the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare sub-sectors.
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The Governor disclosed that the N16.6 billion earmarked in the 2025 budget is aimed at upgrading Schools of Midwifery, Nursing, and other Healthcare Training Institutions across the State, address the shortage of trained Medical Professionals and ensure a Healthcare system that is both accessible and efficient for all residents.
“We will continue to commit resources to the Healthcare Sector. We have about 16. 6 billion provided for in the current year budget to bring the Institutions up to standard.
“We want to complete that this year so that we will be able to train our Nurses and Healthcare Professionals. It is a major area of need and a major challenge we must tackle”, Governor Otti stated.
The Governor highlighted his administration’s commitment to quality and affordable Healthcare, and noted that efforts to revitalize the State’s Healthcare infrastructure
across the 184 wards are on top gear with the ongoing upgrade of 200 Primary Healthcare Centers.
He revealed that over N10 Billion has been allocated for the construction and renovation of the 200 Primary Healthcare Centers adding that five centers in Abia Central Senatorial Zones have been completed and are awaiting commissioning.
“The total budgetary allocation for the 200 Health Centers is in excess of 10 billion and is sitting in the account of the Ministry of Health.
“Some of these facilities, like those in Umunneato and Okeikpe, are in very terrible states of disrepair, but already receiving attention and already procured“, he explained.
Governor Otti emphasized his administration’s belief that “health is wealth”, assured that contracts for the remaining facilities will be awarded within a week.
The Governor while celebrating the revival of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), noting that the Institution is now fully operational with accreditation restored, and added that the Regulatory Authorities have also increased the number of admissions into the University’s Medical Programs.
He however acknowledged that the State’s Healthcare Sector is not yet where he wants it to be and assured residents that his administration remains committed to setting a new trajectory for Healthcare delivery in Abia to ensure a system that is both accessible and efficient for all.
Governor Otti also announced key initiatives in the Education Sector, including the launch of an online portal for the recruitment of 2,000 teachers for Primary and Secondary Schools, approval of an enhanced welfare package for teachers and an increase in the retirement age to 65 years, assured of the possibility of further extension of age for teachers if the need arises.
The Governor revealed that arrangements have been made for the provision of running cost for Primary and Secondary schools haven approved free and compulsory Education at both levels and warned that any one found collecting unauthorized fees or levies of any sort would be seriously sanctioned.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to Tertiary institutions, including Abia State University (ABSU), Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu among others, noting that the need attention is being given to them.
Governor Otti disclosed that contracts have been awarded for the fencing of Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu, alongside plans for the provision of potable water.
He noted that a new Governing Council has been inaugurated for ABSU following the recommendations of a White Paper report, adding that the Faculty of Law, Umuahia Campus would be relocated back to the main Uturu Campus for a more functional University structure.
