Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti has functionalised two Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), including the Amaegbu Ato Nkpa and Amokwe Item, all in Bende LGA, with a warning for pregnant women to desist from patronising traditional birth attendants.
Performing the functionalisation exercise on Thursday, June 18th 2026, Governor Otti disclosed that a total of 9 out of 16 PHCs being done in Bende LGA alone have been functionalised.
The Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, said that the PHCs have all the necessary gadgets for taking care of pregnant women.
He noted that ultrasound and other equipment needed for safe delivery and other quality healthcare services, including a fully loaded cylinder of oxygen, are available in the facilities.
The Commissioner, who noted that a full complement of nurses and midwives are available in the facilities, added that the facilities boast of laboratory and
all equipment for measuring sugar level, checking blood pressure and enough bed space for patients.
While urging them to secure the facilities, Governor Otti called for all to sustain their support to his administration.
In his speech, the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Kalu Ulu Kalu,
while noting that the Otti-led administration was working towards ensuring that all the 184 political wards in the state have access to functional healthcare centres, called on the community members to protect the facilities against vandalism.
He noted that Governor Otti’s healthcare reforms were driven by a determination to reduce preventable deaths, particularly among pregnant women and newborns, and urged all to patronise the facilities.
Dr Kalu equally encouraged them to ensure they obtain their voters’ card to enable them to re-elect Governor Otti and sustain the good governance being enjoyed in that state.
Earlier, the Mayor of Bende Local Government Area, Deacon Uwabunkeonye Bassey, commended Governor Otti for approving the upgrade of 16 primary healthcare centres in Bende LGA, saying that it is the highest allocation to any local government area in the state, and assured the Governor of his reelection in 2027.
He described the functionalisation of the PHCs and other achievements of the Governor in healthcare as unprecedented.
In their goodwill messages, Eze Chile Ogoh, the President-General of Amaokwe Item Welfare Union, Prince Harrison Okorie, and the National President of the Amaokwe Item Women’s Wing, Lady Mercy Kesandu-Uko, thanked the Governor for improving healthcare infrastructure in their communities and assured him of their total support in his reelection bid in 2027.
The Governor’s representative later inspected the level of work at the ongoing Abia Specialist Hospital Umunnato, where he expressed satisfaction at the pace of work at the site.
E-signed
DIVINE NWANKWO
HOD (INFORMATION)
GOVERNMENT HOUSE UMUAHIA
18 – 06 – 2026.
