Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has said one of the goals of his administration is to ensure the people have confidence in health facilities in the state instead of travelling abroad.
At the reopening of the state Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, and Amachara General Hospital both in Umuahia, the state capital, on Wednesday, the governor said: “We shall restore all health facilities in the state to obtain optimal functionality. Never again will they be allowed to dilapidate or become a threat to the people”.
While flagging off the 3.5-kilometre six-lane Ossah-Mission Hill-Okpara Square-Umuahia Road expansion project, Otti announced that the project would be handled by a reputable firm.
Describing the road as one of the administration’s signature projects, the governor added that he was glad that it had taken off despite initial objections and criticisms.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo said the facilities were dilapidated and in pitiable conditions until the interventions.
“The doctors were on strike. The situation seemed overwhelming and discouraging. But, today the narratives have changed. And no experience is spared to upgrade them”, she said.
Earlier, the centre’s Chief Medical Director, Dr. Francis Uchenna Agu commended the administration for its bold initiatives in the health sector.
“Having successfully renovated and re-equipped the hospitals, Abians are sure that access to healthcare is now a possible venture which will attract national and international presence in the state”, he said.
