Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has officially declared the 2026 medical mission of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) open, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare as a driver of economic growth and social wellbeing.
The 2026 medical mission organised by ANPA, in collaboration with the Abia State Government focuses on expanding access to free, quality healthcare as well as strengthening the state’s health system through partnerships and capacity building.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony on Tuesday at the Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, Governor Otti emphasized that his administration’s development agenda is anchored on improving the welfare of the people through deliberate investments in critical sectors, particularly healthcare.
The Governor reiterated that his administration does not separate healthcare from economic advancement, explaining that sustained investment in the sector is essential for productivity and long-term prosperity.
He stressed that infrastructure development must translate into real benefits for citizens, noting that “physical infrastructure projects, whatever the cost, mean nothing if they are not directly connected to our central governance agenda“.
“At the center of our development framework is the holistic welfare of the human population. Everything we have done in the last 35 months, is driven primarily by the hunger to enhance the social and economic experiences of our people.
“We do not make a distinction between health of the people and the prosperity of the economy, for they are one and the same thing.
“Health, as we see it, is also economics because it is tied to the productivity of the population, guides investment decisions, and ultimately promotes long-term household and public sector services”, Governor Otti said.
The Governor commended ANPA for returning to Abia for another round of medical outreach, describing the organisation as a dependable partner in the state’s healthcare transformation efforts.
He expressed confidence that the medical mission would not only provide immediate medical relief to residents but also strengthen the capacity of local health workers through knowledge transfer and exposure to global best practices.
Governor Otti also disclosed that his administration has approved the recruitment of 851 healthcare professionals, with 629 already deployed to various facilities, as part of efforts to address manpower shortages and improve service delivery.
He also revealed plans to institutionalize collaboration with ANPA through a structured framework that would incorporate telemedicine and digital healthcare solutions.
Governor Otti further highlighted improvements in infrastructure, security and environmental services and positioned Abia as an emerging destination for investment in health and other sectors.
He expressed optimism that the medical outreach would have a lasting impact on beneficiaries, noting that participants would depart with heartwarming stories of lives saved, joy restored and renewed faith in humanity.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, said the medical mission aligns with the healthcare reforms of Governor Otti, which include increased funding, infrastructure upgrades and digital health innovations.
Prof Uche noted that the reforms by Governor Otti has significantly improved healthcare utilisation, with a rise in hospital visits across the state in recent years.
He added that the medical outreach would provide free consultations, specialised surgeries and health education, as well as servep as a platform for collaboration, capacity building and strengthening of the state’s healthcare system.
Also speaking, President of ANPA, Dr Cliff Eke, described the initiative as part of diaspora-driven health intervention aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system through collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Dr Eke explained that the mission goes beyond medical outreach to include skills transfer, training and long-term system support, adding that the team has assembled a multidisciplinary group of professionals to deliver services across key areas of medicine.
He further disclosed that the programme is part of the National Diaspora Health Impact Initiative, which will be implemented across several states before a national review, noting that telemedicine and continuous engagement with local health workers are central to ensuring sustainability.
In her remarks earlier, the Chairperson of the Medical Mission Committee, Dr Uloaku Ukaegbu, noted that the partnership between the Abia State Government and ANPA has continued to yield significant results, revealing that similar missions in the previous year treated over 15,000 residents and recorded more than 300 surgeries.
According to her, the current exercise has already commenced at the Abia Specialist Hospital and Aba General Hospital, and currently providing eye care, outpatient services and specialised surgeries, while also incorporating a sexual and reproductive health programme for youths.
