ABIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH COMMENCE TRAINING OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERS David Maduako –Umuahia 

ABIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH COMMENCE TRAINING OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERS

David Maduako –Umuahia

Abía state ministry of Health have commenced the training of her Biomedical engineers for prompt repairs and servicing of hospital equipment in government owned hospitals.

The Abía State Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this while briefing the press on the out come of the week’s Executive Council meeting which took place recently at the government house Umuahia.

The Commissioner said a separate unit have been established by the ministry for biomedical for the purpose of repairs and servicing of

Medical Equipment . He hinted that the training is in colaboration. With USA Engineers ,theMed share and CPR Engineers. USA .

According to the Commissioner, the training programme, which commenced on May 12, 2026, was officially flagged off by Dr Emmanuel Meribole,the Secretary to Abia state government who represented Governor Alex Otti at the program.

He stated that the training exercise which is expected to end on May 22, 2026 is designed to build local capacity for the maintenance and management of modern medical equipment in state-owned health facilities.

The Commissioner informed that the National Malaria Elimination Programme, led by the National Coordinator, Dr. Mrs. Nnenna Ogbulafor recently conducted an advocacy visit to Abia state, and congratulated the state on the reduction in prevalence of malaria in the state from 16.5% in 2024 to 11.5% in 2025.

The team announced plans to conduct a mass distribution of 3 million insecticide- treated mosquito nets sometime in September 2026.

The Commissioner equally noted that several general hospitals currently being built or renovated by the state government are nearing completion , revealing that, the Governor would be commissioning the Obingwa General Hospital and the Phase One of the Arochukwu General Hospital as part of activities marking the administration’s third year anniversary later this month.

He informed the 15 primary health centres (PHCs), that are currently being equipped would be functionalised and commissioned during the period, adding that, the onboarding of additional PHCs into the Digital-in-Health Project has commenced, with four more PHCs scheduled to be integrated in the current phase.

He further said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Council for Disease Control (NCDC), have issued a public health advisory on the Ebola outbreak in DRC, Congo and Uganda, thereby declaring it a public health emergency of international concern.

He, however, reassured residents that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Abia state or anywhere in Nigeria, and advised members of the public to remain vigilant by maintaining proper personal and environmental hygiene, avoiding contact with rats and rodents, and seeking immediate medical attention whenever they feel unwell.

He emphasised that the State’s Public Health Unit remains fully alert and is closely monitoring the situation to ensure the continued safety and wellbeing of Abians and said that, there is no confirmation of any disease of public health concern in Abia state.

Contributing, the Commissioner for Health, Prof Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche described the establishment of the biomedical unit as an intentional initiative by Governor Otti to ensure sustainability in the ongoing healthcare reforms in the state.

End .