Otti cautions residents to refrain from damaging renovated medical facilities

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has called on communities to assume responsibility for newly upgraded primary healthcare centres, safeguarding them against vandalism to guarantee uninterrupted healthcare delivery.

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This plea was made on Thursday during the formal functionalisation of the Amaokwe Item and Amaegbuato Nkpa Primary Health Centres in Bende Local Government Area of the state, where Otti was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ogbonnaya Uche.

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The governor explained that these facilities are part of ongoing healthcare reforms, which have already made about nine Primary Health Centres operational in the area, underscoring the importance of community protection.

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Otti warned that vandalism or misuse of the facilities would not be tolerated, emphasizing that it is now the communities' responsibility to protect and sustain them, as the government has fulfilled its part by providing the facilities.

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The upgraded centres have been equipped with essential medical facilities, including ultrasound machines, auto analysers, oxygen units, and laboratory equipment, to enhance healthcare services, according to Otti.

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Additionally, the facilities have been staffed with qualified nurses to provide round-the-clock services, while visiting doctors will offer specialised medical care when required, further bolstering the healthcare delivery system.

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The state government is also constructing a specialist hospital at Umunnato General Hospital to strengthen healthcare delivery in the area, Otti announced, reaffirming his administration's commitment to improving access to quality healthcare services across rural communities and underserved areas.

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Executive Secretary of the Abia Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Kalu Kalu, noted that the reforms aim to reduce preventable deaths among mothers and newborns, highlighting the government's efforts to ensure every ward in the state has a functional and well-equipped primary healthcare centre with adequate personnel.

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Chairman of Bende Local Government Area, Mr Uwabunkeonye Bassey, commended the state government for its unprecedented investment in the health sector, revealing that 16 primary healthcare centres have been approved for upgrade in the local government area to improve access to quality healthcare services.

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In separate remarks, President-General of Amaokwe Item Welfare Union, Mr Harrison Okorie, and the Women’s Wing President, Mrs Mercy Kesandu-Uko, expressed gratitude to the government for the interventions in the health sector.

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They noted that these interventions would improve access to quality healthcare services and contribute to increased life expectancy, particularly in rural communities, underscoring the positive impact of the government's efforts.