Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, says that the expected outcome and returns on the huge investment in the health sector of the State by his administration is to improve the health of the people, stating that healthcare is a right and not a privilege, while emphasizing that the returns may not come in financial terms.
Governor Otti spoke on Friday, December 19th, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Government House, Umuahia, while receiving in audience, the medical team of the Abia State Diaspora Commission led by its Chairman, Okey Agbara, who were in the State on a medical mission.
The State Chief Executive said, “For us, we spend on healthcare knowing fully well that the returns may not come in Naira and Kobo, in Dollars and Pounds, but in the health of our people, in their lives.
“If you don’t have health, then you don’t have anything. And if you are in doubt, just visit the hospital.
“We believe that healthcare is a right and not a privilege. We also don’t accept that if you cannot afford healthcare, then you cannot have it.
“As a government, we’ve taken the principal decision to put our money where our health is”, Governor Otti stated.
The Governor thanked the Abia State Diaspora Commission for making the medical mission possible and requested them to extend the medical outreach, saying that he would be very happy if they accept to extend it.
“I want to thank all of you who came from outside the country to help us support what we’ve been doing in the last 30 months to democratize healthcare.
“If this medical mission can be extended, we’ll be very happy. We’ll provide all the support.
“Because, if you have done this much in a few days, just imagine what could happen if you are here for another week or two,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor thanked the Chairman of the Diaspora Commission, Okey Agbara, the Executive Secretary of the commission, Rev. Dr Annie Onu, and members of the medical team, as well as the hard-working Commissioner for Health and other top government officials in the health sector
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, noted that the Governor, in the early part of the year, launched a very critical intervention in the health sector, board of free medical outreach, health insurance, and collaborations with global health organisations.
Prof. Uche disclosed that over 10,000 adults have benefited from medical outreaches in the State in direct health care support, with over 120 surgeries performed.
“Within these five days, a lot of people in different cities, their stories have changed. From those who would have died in the next couple of months, to those who are now going to live to fulfill their destiny.”
He thanked Governor Otti for his determined efforts to bring quality health care delivery to the people.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of Abia State Diaspora Commission, Mr. Okey Agbara, said that they have seen the commitment of the Governor to the development of the State, including delivering quality health care to the people, and have decided to support him.
“We have instituted what we call a universal healthcare, where everybody who is supposed to be treated, is supposed to get this healthcare.
“That’s why we came. And that’s why we said, okay, we are going to support our government. We have instituted training of healthcare professionals in the areas of CPR.
“And, I will also use this opportunity to thank our Honourable Commissioner. His erudition is top-notch. He is somebody you can trust,” Agbara stated.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, and other top government officials, including the Executive Secretary, Abia State Diaspora Commission, Rev. Dr. Annie Onu, were present at the event.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
19 – 12 – 2025.
