Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has functionalised the Okpuhu Nkpa and Umuenyere Alayi Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Bende LGA, bringing it to a total of 42 PHCs so far.
The remaining 8 PHCs will be done in the next week to complete the 50 PHCs billed to be functionalised this September, in the first phase of the functionalisation programme of the ‘Project Ekwueme’.
Speaking while performing the events, Governor Otti said the programme marks the end of over 24 years of total negligence on the health and welfare of the people, noting that he came to power to change the narratives.
Governor Otti, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, said his government is not just building or renovating primary healthcare centres, but building them with world-class healthcare infrastructure.
“In these PHCs, you will see multiple multi-parameter monitors that provide state-of-the-art monitoring of the health indices.
“We have the automatic external defibrillator, which is a machine that you can use to shock the heart when there is cardiac arrest. You have auto-analysers.
“You have incubators in the laboratory. You have oxygen cylinders and oxygen delivery devices. And you have a state-of-the-art delivery room equipped with first-rate delivery beds and life-support equipment, both the mother and the child,” he stated.
He said that approval has been granted for the establishment of the Isolation Centre at the popular Uzuakoli Leprosy Centre, to take care of Isolation cases.
Governor Otti, who noted that Nigeria contributes to 29% of maternal mortality in the world, urged the people to patronise the PHCs and disclosed that, government plans to arrest anyone patronising traditional birth attendants as well as the attendants themselves.
“One of the major causes of maternal mortality is delivery by unskilled workers. And that includes traditional birth attendants who have not been trained and certified to provide that level of healthcare service.
“And so, the government has decided that with the functionalisation of the PHCs and with the huge investment in the healthcare sector, our women now have places that have been equipped and staffed with the quality of staff who have been trained and certified to handle deliveries.
“They (traditional birth attendants) therefore do not have the requisite skills for safety in the handling of maternal and child health care services.
Also speaking, an indigene of Alayi and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, said his people are not surprised at the works of Governor Otti in their community.
He said that the people stood by Dr Otti during the struggle, and today they are excited that he is keeping to the promise he made to them. He assured that the people would protect the facility.
In his remarks, the Mayor of Bende LGA, Deacon Uwabunkeonye Bassey, noted that 16 PHCs are being renovated and functionalised in Bende LGA by the present administration, adding that Governor Alex Otti has really shown that he is on a mission to change the ugly situation the facilities have faced over decades.
He urged the stakeholders and the entire people of the LGA to own the projects, which is a sure way to guarantee the security of the facilities.
The Executive Secretary, Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Ulu Kalu Ulu and the Executive Secretary, Abia State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Chiedozie Egwuonwu, said that Governor Otti is determined to provide functional, accessible and affordable healthcare services for all.
They called on the people to own the project and ensure they are protected while urging the people to take advantage of the Abia State Basic Health fund to register under the community-based social health insurance programme to enable them to access the services in the Primary Health Centres.
In their various speeches, the Health Authority Secretary of Bende LGA, Mrs Glory Ihedigbo, the Traditional Ruler, Umuenyere Alayi Eze Ignatious Uche and the Vice President, Umunyere Alayi Development Union, Mr Akachukwu Okorie, thanked Governor Otti for not only renovating their health facilities in Nkpa and Alayi and assured the Governor of their sustained support.
E-signed
DIVINE NWANKWO
HOD (INFORMATION)
GOVERNMENT HOUSE UMUAHIA.
20 – 09 – 2025.
