Since assuming office, Governor Alex Chioma Otti has made significant strides in the health sector. One of his notable achievements is the commissioning of a state-of-the-art multipurpose hospital in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area, which was built through the office of the Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs). This 100-bed facility is equipped with world-class medical facilities and services, aiming to reduce maternal and child mortality rates. The Governor’s efforts in the health sector have been recognized for aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG5 (Gender Equality).
In addition to this, Governor Otti’s administration has renovated healthcare facilities. Three general hospitals have been renovated, and he stopped at nothing to ensure that accreditation for the teaching hospital, which had been lost for five years, was restored. This enabled the training of 60 house officers and increased the college quota by 25%.
He also ensured that healthcare infrastructure was improved by establishing one comprehensive health facility per local government, demonstrating his commitment to accessible healthcare.
Governor Otti also launched the Medical City Project, aimed at revitalizing the health sector and generating employment opportunities within the state.
He activated the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme, ensuring that healthcare services are affordable and accessible to all citizens.
He made a significant stride in upgrading health facilities in Abia State. One notable example is the renovation of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) in Aba. The hospital’s renovation was completed within a remarkably short period of two months. Although there’s some debate about who initiated the renovation, with some attributing it to the previous administration, the current government’s efforts have undoubtedly improved the facility.
The Abia State Specialist Hospital and Amachara General Hospital were not left out. The retrofitting of these hospitals was part of his administration’s commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery in Abia State. The duo was reopened after renovation, with the Governor noting that the Amachara General Hospital, which was first opened in 1932, had been allowed to decay and dilapidate. The renovation included the completion and equipping of various departments such as the Eye Clinic, now comparable to the best anywhere in the country, the General Outpatient Department, and the Accident and Emergency Department.
Governor Otti’s administration has also launched a Free Medical Service Initiative, providing diagnostics, laboratory services, counseling, and drug supply to thousands of Abians in rural and urban communities.
The state government plans to build 200 primary health centers across the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to strengthen healthcare delivery, especially in rural communities. These initiatives and more have demonstrated Governor Alex Chioma Otti’s commitment to improving and prioritizing healthcare development and infrastructure in Abia State.
Additionally, Governor Otti has allocated 35% of the 2025 annual budget to both healthcare and education, demonstrating his commitment to enhancing the state’s healthcare infrastructure. It’s clear that the state government is prioritizing the health sector. The health sector will likely benefit from this increased investment, with projects such as the rehabilitation of 200 primary healthcare facilities across the state.
