The Federal Government has praised Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for his proactive efforts to address the long-standing challenges in the state’s healthcare system before taking office on May 29, 2023.
The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salman Anas-Ibrahim, commended Governor Otti for declaring a state of emergency in the health sector, increasing the health budget by 15%, and swiftly resolving salary disputes, significantly alleviating challenges in the state’s healthcare system.
Dr. Anas-Ibrahim spoke during a visit to Governor Otti’s residence in Umuehim, Nvosi, Isialangwa South, as part of an advocacy team from the Presidency.
She emphasized the need for partnership between Abia and the Federal Government to accelerate Health Sector Transformation initiatives outlined in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In a statement made available to the press by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko, the Federal Government vows to support Abia under the Presidential Acceleration Plan for Reduction of Maternal Deaths and other areas, including capacity building, resources, and advocacy.
In reaction, Governor Otti thanked Dr. Anas-Ibrahim for her visit, stating that Abia State has already aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector to achieve improved access to quality healthcare delivery.
He highlighted the shared objectives between Abia and the Federal Government, particularly in health, and emphasized a mutual drive towards a common purpose despite political differences.
“I appreciate your visit and the kind words about our administration. We are grateful for the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aligns with our goals in Abia State. Despite political differences, we share a common purpose and are driving towards the same objectives,” Governor Otti said.
The Governor, who recounted the deliberate steps taken by his administration upon assumption of office, said his government had addressed critical healthcare challenges in Abia which include; a robust budget for the healthcare delivery system, restoration of accreditation for the Abia State University Teaching Hospital and the College of Medicine of the University, which had been in a state of disrepair during the past government, as well as clearing salary arrears of health workers. “When we came in, we were very deliberate about the things we were going to do. As we came in, we found that our state tertiary health institution, the Abia State University Teaching Hospital did not have accreditation and had not had in the last three years before we came in. So, it was a major challenge,” he narrated.
Governor Otti outlined ongoing initiatives by his government to include the retrofitting of General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centers across the state, establishment of a Medical Village, which would serve as a comprehensive healthcare hub to reverse medical tourism and provide top-notch medical services within Abia State.
He underscored the significance of addressing Maternal and Child Mortality rates, noting that his government is committed to improving healthcare needs of Abia people.
“We are not where we want to be, but we definitely have moved from where we met the state. Where we are now is retrofitting the primary health care centers and from our last count, they were about 948 of them.
“Luckily, we had a price that we won from the Governor’s forum, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; ‘The leadership Challenge’, and the money from there, we have deployed first of all to the Primary Health Care Centers and of course we do have a robust budget for the healthcare delivery system in Abia state.
“In the last eleven months, we have had to intervene at different levels just to ensure that people have better opportunities to live when they are challenged and we will continue to push the bars in those areas so that we can move our people from homelessness,” Governor Otti stated.
He affirmed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government, adding that the state would support all Federal Government’s initiative aimed at uplifting citizens and driving socio-economic development.
Joining the Governor to receive the presidential team were the Deputy Governor, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu; Secretary to the State Government, Prof Kenneth Kalu; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo; Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Ngozi Azodoh; and other Senior aides to the Governor and Heads of agencies in the Ministry of Health.
