Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to overhauling the State’s Healthcare delivery system, declaring it a “top priority” of government’s agenda.
Governor Otti stated this, Sunday, at Nvosi Isialangwa South LGA, when he received the Revive Medical Mission, a team of Belgian Medical Experts who returned to the State to continue their Medical Mission.
The Team is expected to work with the State’s team of Medical Experts in conducting a Medical Outreach organised by the State Government.
The Governor outlined his administration’s comprehensive healthcare vision, which prioritizes infrastructural development, operational efficiency, and strategic partnerships aimed at ensuring a healthier population in the State.
He said; “I want to let you know that Healthcare delivery is topmost on our agenda.
“We have driven the Healthcare delivery system in Abia from where it was, when we came in 2023 to the present level”.
Governor Otis revealed plans to revolutionize the State’s Healthcare system, starting with the comprehensive retrofitting and rehabilitation of 200 Primary Healthcare Centers, which he assured would be completed within 100 days.
“By tomorrow, we will be flagging off the retrofitting and rehabilitation of 200 Primary Healthcare Centers. These primary healthcare centers must be delivered in a 100 days .
“We took our time to design a prototype of a Primary Healthcare Center in Abia State. So when you walk into a Primary Healthcare Center, you will know it is a Primary Healthcare Center in Abia State.
“By the time we are done with the first set of 200, we will also flag another 200 until all the 948 Primary Healthcare Centers are fully rehabilitated.
“Some of them are in terrible states of disrepair and some of them are not functional. As we are retrofitting we are also making arrangements to staff them properly because that is the first place that our people visit when they have any medical condition before referrals to the secondary and tertiary”, Gov. Otti stated
The Governor also highlighted plans to enhance the Abia State University Teaching Hospital and initiate the construction of a Medical Village.
Governor Otti recalled the team’s initial visit last year, during which they conducted Medical Outreach in Nkwoegwu, Umuahia North LGA and noted that the positive feedback “we received encouraged us to invite you again”
He expressed the willingness of his administration to collaborate with the Medical Experts to further drive the State’s rebuilding agenda in the Health Sector.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, stated that the outreach aligns with the State Government’s goal of providing quality healthcare to all residents.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would deliver significant outcomes, including 100 surgeries and over 1,000 consultations on varying health issues.
”So this team is here to work in partnership with the local Medical Experts to deliver high quality Medical care consultations and surgeries to our people.
“The Government has released funds for the installation of new hardware for both anaesthesia and also for surgery, cost running into hundreds of millions”, the Commissioner disclosed.
Earlier, the leader of the Team, Dr De Gazelle Herman, expressed gratitude for the State’s partnership in the exercise and assured of the team’s dedication to performing surgeries and consultations that focus on conditions such as goiters, hernias, and other ailments.
‘It is truly a pleasure to be in Abia State, and we are committed to making a meaningful impact during our time here.
“We pledge to perform as many surgeries and consultations as possible, focusing on conditions such as goiters, hernias, and others” Herman assured.
