The Abia State Government has confirmed a rare medical feat at the retrofitted Ohiya Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC ) in Umuahia South Local Government Area, where a woman suffering from severe pregnancy complications (eclampsia) in a twin pregnancy was successfully delivered of her babies through an emergency caesarean section.
The patient, 24-year-old Mrs Chikamso Ibekwe, on Monday ,23rd March 2026, delivered twin boys weighing 3.2 kilogrammes each, in a successful procedure.
The twin babies
The State Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Uche, who disclosed this on Thursday, when he visited the PHC facility, described the development as a clear validation of the Governor Alex Otti’s ongoing healthcare reforms under Project Ekwueme initiative.
Prof Uche noted that the availability of modern equipment, drugs, oxygen and skilled personnel made it possible to manage the life-threatening condition at a Primary Healthcare level, which was hithertho unattainable.
The Commissioner explained that eclampsia remains one of the leading causes of maternal and infant mortality, noting that the patient’s condition could have resulted in multiple fatalities if not promptly managed by the medical personnel at the PHC.
He said; “On Monday 23rd March after Exco, the Ministry received a very, very heartwarming report that in one of the rural or semi-urban PHCs, a medical feat, so to say, occurred where a woman with a life-threatening obstetric emergency, described as eclampsia was successfully managed by emergency caesarean delivery.
“We want to make it clear that this is not just a hearsay. This is a confirmed medical occurrence.
“This can only be possible because there were facilities in this retrofitted PHC that could support emergency care and of course, the fact that we have competent nurses and a competent doctor who was on ground to handle this situation.
“This is actually a proof that the PHCs are yielding the desired dividend. If there is anybody in doubt, that the healthcare reforms of his Excellency, Gov Alex Otti are bearing fruits, this is one incontrovertible evidence.
“Because it has never been recorded in the history of this State, maybe in the history of healthcare that caesarean deliveries have become routine or easily performed for such big emergencies in a PHC. And it’sbecause there are facilities here”.
The Health Commissioner explained that the State is planning to introduce roving medical teams that can quickly respond to emergencies across communities, particularly in rural areas.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at strengthening emergency response, saving lives, and reducing maternal mortality, especially in critical situations where delays could be fatal.
Also speaking the doctor who carried out the procedure, Dr Joseph Ngene, explained that the patient arrived in critical condition with extreme high blood pressure and seizures adding that his team quickly stabilised the patient, stopped the seizures, and performed a successful emergency caesarean section, resulting in the safe delivery of the twins.
Dr Ngene
He added that the procedure was smooth and successful, with both mother and babies responding well to treatment.
Earlier, the Health Authority Secretary of Umuahia South LGA, Mrs Eucharia Igwe, attributed the success to the recent upgrade of the facility by the State Government’s intervention.
She said that the PHCBis now well-equipped with trained staff and functional units capable of handling emergencies and assured the community of quality service delivery.
Reacting to the development, the Deputy Traditional Prime Minister of Ohiya Autonomous Community, Chief Ubadire Agoha, commended the Otti led administration for the initiatives in the Health Sector, saying it has begun to yield dividends.
“For us, we appreciate the Governor. This project has started yielding dividends. We pray that it should even yield more”, he said.
Agoha expressed optimism that the improved facility would attract more residents from the communities seeking quality healthcare.
Also speaking, the husband of the patient, Mr Ibekwe Patrick Ibekwe expressed gratitude to the Governor, describing the outcome as life-saving and thanked the Governor for improving healthcare services as well as for saving the lives of his wife and children.
“I’m so, so happy. And I thank God. If not for our governor, what would have happened?”, he said.
Mr Ibekwe ,a mechanic, who also received financial support from the State government, prayed for continued blessings upon the state leadership.
