Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has disclosed that his administration has set aside N10 billion for the construction and equipment of 200 Primary Health Centres, PHCs, in the 184 political wards across the state.
Otti who made the disclosure during a media parley in Umuahia said the fund had been deposited in the bank account of the State Ministry of Health, adding that the project is to be delivered within 100 days.
This is as he also hinted that his administration was set to award contracts for the renovation of 22 Secondary Healthcare Centres across the 17 LGAs of the state.
Gov. Otti further hinted that N16 billion had been provided for the renovation of Secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions across the state for optimal healthcare service delivery.
He said: “We are at the final stages of awarding contracts for the renovation and retrofitting of the 22 Secondary Healthcare Centres, General Hospitals.
“There are some that are in very terrible state of disrepair; Umunneato, Okeikpe, Obingwa, Okpualangwa, Arochukwu and a few others. I think about four of them, Okeikpe, Obingwa Ohafia and one other is already in for procurement.
“So, in the next one week, I am sure we will award this contract because we believe that Health is Wealth,” Gov. Otti assured.
Emphasising that “health is wealth,” Otti restated his commitment to transforming the Abia health sector for better service delivery.
“We will continue to commit resources to the healthcare sector. We have about N16. 6 billion provided for in the current year budget to bring the institutions up to standard.
“We want to complete that this year so that we will be able to train our Nurses and Healthcare Professionals. It is a major area of need and a major challenge we must tackle,” Gov. Otti stated.
“I’m glad to report that we have continued to make progress. We are not where we want to be.
“We have continued to make impact in the Healthcare sector. Barely two weeks ago, we flagged-off ‘Project Ekwueme,’ 200 Primary Healthcare Centres renovation, retrofitting and rebuilding as the case may be.
“Interestingly, even before we flagged-off, some of the Healthcare Centres had already started receiving attention.
“Five Primary Healthcare Centres are ready for commissioning. So, I’m glad we have five in Abia Central ready for commissioning,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti expressed delight that the Abia State University Teaching Hospital had regained its lost accreditation after his administration renovated it.
He said that the hospital had become a referral point where complicated cases are now being handled, adding that the hospital will witness more transformation in the years ahead.
