…As NNPC, Abia govt begin free eye surgery for cataract patients
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti has reaffirmed his commitment to making healthcare delivery a top priority in Abia State, declaring that he has no choice other than fixing the Abia State health sector.
This is as the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Foundation, in partnership with Abia State Government has commenced free eye surgery for 1000 cataract patients.
Governor Otti was speaking, when he received the consultant coordinating the Free Cataract Extraction for NNPC Foundation, Dr Anne Amugo, who was in Abia for the flag-off of the NNPC’s free cataract surgery initiative taking place simultaneously in three locations across the state.
He said that “healthcare delivery is one of his administration’s top priority because of its direct impact on the wellbeing of the citizenry.”
“Anywhere in the world, healthcare is not cheap. In places where it appears cheap, the option is death.
“That is why we take healthcare seriously and will continue to support initiatives like this. This is the kind of thing we support and appreciate,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti reiterated that his administration has no choice than to fix Abia and said that quality healthcare is central to his agenda of transforming the State.
While commending the organisation for choosing Abia as the flag-off location for the medical outreach, the Governor appreciated the impressive turnout of residents during the screening exercises.
He attributed the large turnout of beneficiaries to the effective mobilisation by the Government and the deep-rooted need for medical support to the people.
Governor Otti, who noted that his administration “has carried out several medical interventions,” reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to improving access to quality health services for the people of the state.
Speaking earlier, the consultant coordinating the Free Cataract Extraction for NNPC Foundation, Dr Anne Amugo, appreciated the support the organisation is receiving from Governor Alex Otti and his team, which she said has been instrumental to the smooth rollout of the free cataract project in Abia State.
She commended Governor Alex Otti’s giant strides in various sectors of the state economy, especially, in the area of healthcare. She said that she was proud of the Governor for changing the narrative of the State.
Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Ngozi Felix; Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Ngozi Azodo; the Administrator of Eye Health Management Bureau and Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Dr Mrs Betty Emeka -Obasi; the Chief Medical Director, CMD, Abia Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Center, Dr Chimezie Okwuonu; among other top government officials were present during the courtesy visit to the Governor.
