The Abia State government has reiterated its commitment to making healthcare a top priority for every citizen.
Speaking on Tuesday during the commissioning of the Nkwoegwu and Ogbodinibe primary healthcare centres in Umuahia, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, highlighted the government’s renewed efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
According to the Commissioner, Governor Alex Otti inherited over 900 primary healthcare centres in poor condition, a situation that had put many pregnant women and children at serious risk. To tackle this, the governor declared a state of emergency in the health sector, with a major focus on rehabilitating and upgrading health facilities across the 17 local government areas.
Professor Uche further revealed that dedicating 15% of the 2024 and 2025 state budgets to healthcare is already yielding visible results, as more residents now prefer government-run health facilities over alternatives.
He particularly urged pregnant women to choose state healthcare centres over traditional birth attendants, emphasizing that the latter lack both the necessary facilities and professional expertise to handle complications.
“We no longer want our women to deliver in places where there are no facilities and no skilled personnel. The state has made provisions for safer, more reliable maternal care,” — Professor Uche stated.
Also speaking at the event, Hon. Obinna Aguocha, member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, assured that the upgraded facilities would greatly improve the health and wellbeing of his constituents.
With these ongoing efforts, the Abia State government is working to bring affordable, quality healthcare closer to the people, ensuring that no citizen is left behind.
