Abia State Governor Alex Otti has inaugurated the renovated Okpuhu Nkpa and Umuenyere Alayi Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Bende Local Government Area, bringing the total number of functionalised PHCs under his Project Ekwueme to 42. This initiative aims to address the long-standing neglect of healthcare infrastructure in the state, which has spanned over 24 years.
During the inauguration ceremony, Governor Otti, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Oggbonnaya Uche, highlighted the features of the revamped PHCs, including multi-parameter monitors, automatic external defibrillators, incubators, oxygen cylinders, and oxygen delivery devices. These upgrades are expected to enhance the quality of healthcare services provided to the local community.
Furthermore, the governor announced plans to establish an Isolation Centre at the Uzuakoli Leprosy Centre to manage isolation cases, demonstrating his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare outcomes. Otti also emphasized the importance of patronising PHCs instead of traditional birth attendants or unqualified healthcare providers, citing the alarming rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria, which accounts for 29% of global cases.
According to Otti, the prevalence of maternal mortality is often attributed to deliveries conducted by unskilled workers, including traditional birth attendants who lack the necessary training and certification. To mitigate this issue, the governor’s administration intends to crack down on traditional birth attendants and those who patronise them.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, who assured that the local community would take responsibility for protecting the new facility from vandalism. As Abia State continues to invest in its healthcare infrastructure, the successful functioning of these PHCs will be crucial in reducing maternal mortality rates and improving overall healthcare outcomes for its citizens.
