ABIA LEADS NIGERIA IN HEALTH SECTOR

ABIA LEADS NIGERIA IN HEALTH SECTOR

David Maduako –Umuahia

Abia state have been named as the first and leading state in the South East on health sector . Abia equally emerged top six in the just concluded 2025 National Primary Health Care ( PHC) Leadership Challenge .

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu made this known on Tuesday, at Government House Umuahia, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

The Commissioner attributed the rear feats achieved by the government to sustained investments in health, including the consistent allocation of 15 percent of the state budget to the sector , Inluding upgrading facilities, strengthening data systems and training health workers.

Prince Okey Kanu said that the leadership challenge is a peer -review programme by Nigerian Governors to judge themselves on their performances as regards primary healthcare services in their respective states.

The monetary sum won by the state , is $500,000, which, is about 750 , million Naira.

He described the award as a validation of the transformative efforts of Governor Alex Otti’s administration in the health sector .

Prince Kanu also announced that the 2025 Global Medical Outreach which successfully held between the 15th and 20th of December across 5 centres in the state offered over 3000 free medical treatments including eye and other surgeries to120 patients .

He equally announced that apart from the free medical care offered to Abians, the outreach also trained 62 Health workers on basic life support and advanced cardiovascular life support skills with certification from the American Heart Association.

The Information Commissioner also announced that another free medical outreach, a collaborative initiative between the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and the state government will be held in the state between 7th and 12th January 2026 .

He observed that the outreach would hold in seven adopted primary health centres across the state , and would feature free training for Abia health workers at the Federal Medical Center Chapel Umuahia.

Prince Kanu equally disclosed that the second phase of renovation of Primary Health Care Centres “Project Ekwueme” would kick off early next year . He said following the renovation, retrofitting and putting into function 200 Primary Health Care Centres, contained in the first phase of the project have recorded over 90% completion.

He said that the initiative is in line with the state government’s agenda of renovating, equipping and functionalizing the state’s owned 948 primary Health Centers spread across the state.

Prince Kanu noted that the state government have continued to partner with groups and individuals in the delivery of quality and affordable free medical services to Abians, pointing out that a Primary Healthcare Centre built and equipped by a prominent Abian, Chief James Umeh( Ike Abam) would be handed over to the state government on the 26th of December 2025, alongside 30 housing units for widows in the community.

Prince Kanu advised Abians to eat and drink responsibly during the yuletide season and to observe good hygiene as well as avoid patronising quacks , vendors of fake drugs, food, and medical products and not to attend unauthorized medical outreaches.

He equally announced that following the formal launch and handover of the 20 mass transit buses, the State Ministry of Transport is working on final details to put the buses into full operation .
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