Abia State to Establish 200 Primary Health Centres: Governor Otti’s Wife Leads Healthcare Reform

Abia State is set to build 200 new primary health centres across 17 LGAs in a move to strengthen healthcare delivery. The initiative, championed by Governor Otti’s wife, Priscilla Otti, follows a successful free medical outreach aimed at improving healthcare access for vulnerable communities.

In a determined push to enhance healthcare delivery in Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, the wife of the Executive Governor, has announced the establishment of 200 new primary health centres across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs). This announcement was made during the launch of a three-day free medical outreach at the SDG Multi-Purpose Hospital in Etitiala Autonomous Community, Ugwunagbo LGA, underscoring the current administration’s dedication to healthcare reform.

The initiative, spearheaded by Mrs. Otti in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, aims to bring essential healthcare services closer to rural communities. Mrs. Otti emphasized that ensuring accessible and quality healthcare is a top priority for Governor Alex Otti’s administration. She urged the residents of Ugwunagbo to take full advantage of the free medical services and expressed the administration’s commitment to continue similar outreach programs.

“This government is determined to make healthcare accessible to every citizen, particularly the vulnerable groups. We want to ensure that everyone, regardless of their location or financial situation, receives the medical attention they need,” Mrs. Otti said. She further appealed to the community to protect the hospital’s facilities, stressing the importance of safeguarding healthcare infrastructure for long-term benefit.

The free medical outreach, which offers services ranging from eye care, prenatal care, and pediatrics to laboratory tests, medications, and surgical procedures, is one of many efforts aimed at improving public health in the state. Mrs. Otti noted that the outreach is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3, which focuses on promoting good health and well-being for all.

In her announcement, Mrs. Otti revealed that Governor Alex Otti had approved the construction of the 200 health centres as part of a broader strategy to expand healthcare access across all LGAs in the state. “These health centres will address the immediate healthcare needs of our communities and reduce the burden on larger, often overcrowded, hospitals,” she explained. The move is expected to significantly improve healthcare access in underserved rural areas, where medical infrastructure has long been inadequate.

Touring the SDG Multi-Purpose Hospital, Mrs. Otti inspected the facilities and highlighted the hospital’s readiness to handle emergency cases and deliver quality care to residents of Ugwunagbo. The facility, a result of collaboration between the state government and the federal government, serves as a model for future healthcare initiatives in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ogbonnaya Uche, and the CEO of the Hospital Management Board, Dr. Odochi Azubuike, were also present at the event. Both officials praised the initiative, calling on the people to support the state’s healthcare reforms by cooperating with medical staff and utilizing the services provided. Dr. Uche confirmed that the new health centres would begin construction shortly, further bolstering the state’s healthcare infrastructure.

Mr. Emeka Nosike, Mayor of Ugwunagbo LGA, expressed gratitude to Governor Otti and the federal government for prioritizing healthcare development. “We are deeply thankful for the administration’s commitment to improving healthcare facilities across the state, especially in our local communities,” he said.

This initiative is expected to significantly improve health outcomes for thousands of Abians, particularly in remote areas where access to healthcare has been a long-standing challenge.