Abia State has been selected to host a modern Stroke and Neurovascular Centre at the Specialist Hospital, Amachara, following the state’s participation in an international neurosurgery symposium in Sweden.
The State Government has also designated the Specialist Hospital, Amachara, as an Ebola isolation centre pending the completion of the Infectious Disease Hospital in Aba, as part of measures to strengthen its preparedness for possible disease outbreaks.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday in Umuahia while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu said the selection of Abia to host the specialised centre followed the presentation of the State’s Health Sector reforms at the 2025 Swedish-African Neurosurgery Symposium in Gothenburg, Sweden.
He described the development as another milestone in the Otti led administration’s efforts to transform the State’s Healthcare system.
“Through the approval of government, the State Ministry of Health participated in the 2025 Symposium of the Swedish-African Neurosurgery Symposium in Gothenburg, Sweden.
“The achievements of the Health Sector reforms were celebrated at the symposium.
“With the Health Sector achievements of the State, Amachara has been selected as the location to host its stroke and neurovascular centre.
“This is another milestone achievement of this administration”, he said.
On Ebola preparedness, the Commissioner said the Ministry of Health had constituted a multi-sectoral Ebola Preparedness and Response Technical Working Group to strengthen the State’s capacity to prevent and respond to possible outbreaks.
He said the group has developed a preparedness and response plan, leading to the designation of the Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Amachara, as an isolation facility pending the completion of the Infectious Disease Hospital in Aba.
Prince Kanu, however, assured residents that no cases of diseases of public health importance had been reported in the state during the period under review.
“There are no reported cases of disease of public health importance in Abia State during the period under review, and this is between 28th of October and 1st of November, 2026.
“Ebola disease, Lassa fever, COVID-19, diphtheria, cholera, mpox, and yellow fever are some of these diseases,” he said.
The Commissioner also announced that the Federal Ministry of Health had recognised Abia as a national champion for health promotion, describing the recognition as further acknowledgement of the State’s ongoing Health Sector reforms.
On breast cancer awareness, Prince Kanu said the Office of the Wife of the Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, had organised an awareness campaign to mark World Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
He said the initiative was designed to draw attention to the burden of breast cancer in Nigeria and encourage women of childbearing age to adopt preventive health practices and undergo regular screening for early detection.
On the administration’s housing programme, the Commissioner disclosed that the Pocket Housing Estate would be flagged off soon.
He disclosed that construction work at the Estate was progressing , with contractors fully mobilised to meet the project’s completion deadline early next year.
He attributed the oversubscription of the Housing Estate to growing public confidence in the Otti administration.
“The oversubscribed portion of the Housing Estate is indicative of the high level of confidence that Abians who subscribe to the fund have in the administration of His Excellency”, he said.
In agriculture, Prince Kanu said the Joint Agricultural Intervention Programme, a partnership between the State Government and the 17 local government areas, was recording progress in developing agribusinesses, attracting investment, expanding food production and creating employment opportunities.
He cited Arochukwu Local Government Area as an example, noting that it had expanded its agricultural activities with the planting of 86,000 palm trees.
On the Creative Economy, the Commissioner disclosed that the state government had signed a memorandum of understanding with Abia Fashion Week, scheduled to hold from November 24 to 27, 2026.
He said the partnership was expected to strengthen Abia’s position as a fashion hub while creating employment opportunities for young people and promoting creative enterprise development.
Prince Kanu added that preparations were also underway for the 2026 festive season, with activities planned to promote tourism, showcase the state’s cultural heritage and stimulate local businesses.
He further announced that the Abia Tertiary Education and Sports Fiesta would commence on Tuesday, November 3, with about 1,850 athletes expected to participate.
According to the Commissioner, the unveiling of the new Abia State University Fan Club, would be one of the highlights of the event.
