Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti says he is committed to providing full support to ensure the success of the healthcare overhaul initiative by his administration, aimed at improving the overall well-being of the people.
Governor Otti stated this on Friday, when he received a delegation of the Revive Medical Team from Belgium who were in the state on a Medical Mission.
The Revive team; a Belgium- based NGO focuses on carrying out medical outreaches for the poor and the most vulnerable of the society, is currently active in several African countries and beyond.
The Governor who emphasized his commitment to prioritizing the health and well-being of the people of Abia, said his administration takes healthcare delivery seriously, hence the focus on retrofitting the health outfits as well as
restoring accreditation for the Abia State University Teaching Hospital.
He highlighted his adminstration’s plan to establish a “Medical Village” which would attract medical tourism and reverse the trend from countries like India to Abia State.
“When we say a medical village, we want everything to be found there; accommodation, and all necessary facilities so that people can come home and receive proper medical healthcare“, Governor Otti explained.
He expressed confidence that by demonstrating seriousness in healthcare, competent professionals abroad would be encouraged to return and contribute to the state’s healthcare system.
Governor Otti revealed that simultaneous efforts are underway to reconstruct and retrofit the fifteen General Hospitals in the state which are at various stages of development prior to their sorry state before his assumption of office.
Commending the efforts of the dedicated team lead, an Abia born Philanthropist, Mr Smart Oriaku for singlehandedly bringing the Review team to Abia and the Review Medical Team Belgium, Governor Otti remarked, “I’m pleased to receive you for your labor of love. It is interesting that one single human being can do this. commended the team lead for singlehandedly bringing the team to Abia as well as the Review team for their labour of love.
“If all of us who have been blessed in one way or the other do what you’re doing, I’m sure this place would be a better place for everyone”.
Governor Otti granted approval for the team to use Abia as a pilot state for a medical missions program focused on breast cancer treatment and directed the Deputy Governor,Engr Ikechukwu Emetu to collaborate with the team to ensure that medical missions are conducted at least twice a year in Abia.
In response to a list of thirty individuals who could not be assisted by the Revive Team due to time constraints, Governor Otti instructed the Commissioner for Health,Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo to collaborate with the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Prof Onyebuchi Azubuike, to ensure that all medical cases are addressed promptly and underscored the availability of competent professionals in the state.
In an address earlier, Abia-born philanthropist and leader of the team Mr Smart Oriaku said that the mission is solely sponsored by his family, the Late Rev. David Ukeje Oriaku family of Okaiuga Nkwoegwu in Umuahia north LGA in the spirit of giving back to the society, adding that the team has within the last 13 days performed over 700 consultations, conducted over 60 successful surgeries ranging from Goiter, Hernia among others and has kept check on them to ensure there are no complications.
He said that all laboratory tests and scans ranging from CT Scan,Echography and other Laboratory Tests as recommended by the surgical team have been paid for by his family and also paid the medical bills of all women that gave birth at the Okaiuga Nkwoegwu Health center venue for the consultation with ten thousand naira purse to all Nursing mothers in center.
Oriaku, informed Governor Otti of the new discovery in the cure of breast cancer without the victim going through the pains of chemotherapy and pointed out that the team would want to use Abia as the base for the pilot phase, adding that the feat will make the state a tourism attraction for people with such health needs.
He expressed the view that
Primary and Secondary Health of the citizens must be given priority attention by every responsible and sensitive government and commended Governor Alex Otti for the massive infrastructural development around the state in addition to the renovation of several health institutions.
Mr Oriaku who said he was among those that nearly gave up hope on Abia before the assumption of the present administration, expressed fulfilment that the medical mission which could not hold under the past administration despite concerted efforts has been made possible under Governor Alex Otti.
sed confidence that by demonstrating seriousness in healthcare, competent professionals abroad would be encouraged to return and contribute to the state’s healthcare system.
