ABIA GOVT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING PRIMARY HEALTHCARE DELIVERY
The Abia State Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare services across the state as part of efforts to ensure that residents have access to quality, affordable, and timely healthcare.
The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, made this known while declaring open the Second Quarter 2026 Taskforce Meeting on Primary Health Care Review held at Government House, Umuahia. Emetu commended the progress recorded in the health sector since the first quarter review meeting held in March.
He noted that significant achievements had been made in immunization coverage, renovation of health facilities, increased utilization of healthcare services, and community engagement programmes.
According to him, the gains recorded demonstrate that the collaborative efforts of government and development partners are yielding positive results.
The Deputy Governor, however, identified several challenges confronting the sector, including gaps in outreach services, staff absenteeism, vandalism of health equipment, delays in diagnostic services, and inadequate community ownership of health facilities.
He stressed that the state’s objective goes beyond improving statistics to ensuring that every resident enjoys access to efficient primary healthcare services.
“Today’s meeting provides an opportunity to critically assess our performance in the second quarter, review the implementation status of previous resolutions, identify emerging challenges, and agree on practical solutions that will improve health outcomes across our communities,” he stated.
Emetu reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Dr. Alex Otti to strengthening primary healthcare as the foundation of the state’s healthcare delivery system, assuring that government would continue to support policies and programmes that promote efficiency, equity, and excellence in service delivery.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Kalu Olugu Kalu, described the quarterly review meeting as a strategic platform for evaluating health sector activities, identifying challenges, and developing recommendations for improved service delivery.
He commended Governor Otti and the Deputy Governor for their sustained support to the primary healthcare sector, noting that the administration’s passion for healthcare development has contributed significantly to ongoing reforms in the state.
Dr. Kalu expressed concern over the persistent issue of absenteeism among healthcare workers, describing it as one of the major obstacles to effective service delivery at primary healthcare centres.
He disclosed that supervisory teams deployed across the state had repeatedly observed cases of absenteeism despite warnings and queries issued to erring personnel.
The Executive Secretary called on the Council to take decisive measures to address the problem, stressing that poor work attitudes and lack of accountability among some health workers undermine government efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery.
He also urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to promote greater community ownership of health facilities, emphasizing that healthcare centres belong to the people and should be protected and supported by all.
Speaking on behalf of UNICEF, the Health Specialist, UNICEF Enugu Field Office, Dr. Ephraim Chukwu, praised the state for its efforts in improving access to quality healthcare and immunization services.
He disclosed that UNICEF supported the deployment of a Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) to enable real-time tracking of healthcare commodities across health facilities, thereby improving stock visibility and the availability of essential supplies.
According to him, UNICEF also supported the direct distribution of nutrition and immunization commodities to health facilities, a development that has contributed to increased vaccination rates and efforts to reduce the number of zero-dose children in the state.
The representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Nwanehiudo Kelechi, highlighted federal support for Integrated Supportive Supervision, Last Mile Visibility Tools, and VAX Track systems aimed at improving healthcare monitoring and service delivery at the grassroots.
Similarly, a representative of John Snow Incorporated (JSI), a partner supporting Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Abia State, Dr. Amuzie Chidinma, commended the government’s commitment to immunization programmes.
The partner revealed that HPV vaccination coverage in the state currently stands at 44 per cent and pledged continued support towards improving routine immunization and protecting young girls against cervical cancer.
The review meeting also featured detailed presentations on activities implemented during the second quarter, achievements recorded, challenges encountered, and strategies for improving primary healthcare services across the state.
