There is no doubt that the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has a clear cut understanding of the importance of good health to the people of the society, hence, from the inception of his administration in 2015, he made healthcare one of the key policy thrust of his government.
For the past six years in office, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has given passionate attention to the healthcare sector of the State and the latest of it is is the flag off of the distribution of four containers of hospital and medical equipment from PROJECT CURE, under the auspices of the Abia State Diaspora Commission, to select Hospitals and Primary Healthcare centres across the various Local Government Areas of the State.
The Governor, while flagging off the distribution of these medical equipment at Government House, Umuahia disclosed that taking delivery of the medical equipment was a fallout of his intensive engagement, collaborations
and shuttle diplomacy with PROJECT CURE, a donor agency based overseas.
It could be recalled that in line with the Governor’s unrestrained efforts to change the narratives in virtually all sectors of the economy, the Governor had in 2018 in far away
Denva collardo, United States of America engaged in negotiations and relationships with
PROJECT CURE, a fruitful relationship that not only led to the donor agency sending its team to Abia to take inventory of the challenges of our healthcare centres in terms equipment and consumables but has now culminated to the today’s success story and this milestone, where the State was able to take delivery of such number of medical equipment which interestingly are purpose targeting. In his words “These items were not chosen randomly, an exploratory visit was paid from PROJECT CURE to our various health institutions where they took note and inventory of our critical needs and went back overseas to shop for these. Therefore, these items are targeted at critical needs of our people as was revealed by the visit of those who came to support us.”
These medical equipment which came in, in four containers with each of the containers having equipment that worth four hundred thousand (400, 000) Dollars were carefully distributed to various Primary Healthcare Centres and hospitals in the State. Accordingly, these medical equipment were distributed to the Primary Health Centres in Umuobiakwa, Obingwa LGA, Eziama Aba North LGA, Health Office Aba South, Ihe- Obuaku Ugwunagbo, LGA, Obehe Health West LGA, Akwete Ukwa East, Osisioma, Abayi-Isingwa IsialaNgwa North, Nvosi Isialangwa South LGA, Ukome Umuahia North, Umunwanwa Umuahia South, Umuariaga Primary Health Centre built by Senator Orji Ikwuano LGA, Akoli-Imenyi Bende, Leru in Umunneochi, Ebemoha, Ohafia LGA, Ovim, Isuikwuato, Ndinyam-Abam, Arochukwu LGA. Other beneficiaries are ABSUTH, Clifford University hospital, Nkechi health centre built by Chief Onwusigwe, Okpualangwa Emergency Area, and Ohiya Development Union Health Centre,Government House Clinic Umuahia as well as the about to be commissioned Specialist Paediatric Hospital in Umuahia.
This health friendly Governor assured Abia people and residents that his efforts in providing medical equipment will trickle down to the grassroots, saying that the intention is to improve the life expectancy of Abians up to 70 years against that of Nigeria at present which has dropped from 50 to 47 years. This he said he was doing by ensuring the covering of the two extremes of vulnerability groups in healthcare, being the geriatric and mother & care.
Additionally too, Governor Ikpeazu on the flagging off day resounded very assuring, his sustained commitment to paying more attention to the primary healthcare of the people of Abia State for optimal benefits of the people by emphasising that “Whatever we’ve been doing that has reduced infant mortality by 71% is worthy of note and should be continued. Whatever that we have been doing that have improved enrolment and visitation of pregnant women to our primary health care centres should be continued. Whatever, that has improved your immunization spread up to 98% should be improved untill it gets to 100%. Therefore, everything that is worthy of doing that would bring good results and good outcomes in terms of health care delivery should be continued and would be continued in Abia state.”
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu deserves accolades for not only initiated the conversations that brought about taking delivery of the medical equipment but paid huge sum of money for the shipping, clearing and facilitation of the items.
In view of the Governor’s concious efforts to improve the healthcare of his people through the supply of these equipment which is really a boost to the healthcare system of the State, it is therefore imperative for the beneficiaries and health workers in Abia to make judicious use of the medical equipment. What more? Abia people and residents are therefore enjoined to jettison all attempts by unscrupulous elements, critics and uninformed individuals to demarket Abia State through various media attacks but join hands with the rebuilder of Abia State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and his foot soldiers to take Abia to the Canaan of her hope.
Divine Nwankwo, Senior Information Officer, Ministry of Information & Strategy
