The Abia Social Health Insurance Scheme has exceeded its 2025 target of 100,000 enrollees, recording 103,076 participants as of August 17, 2025.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists at Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of the week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Kanu described the achievement as a strong vote of confidence in the scheme, noting that it reflects public trust in its ability to meet pressing healthcare needs. He further announced that enrolment of participants from the informal sector will begin this week.
The Commissioner also revealed that the Ministry of Health has established two new departments—the Abia Drug and Medical Commodities Management Agency and the Department of Nutrition—in line with the federal government’s N-774 Nutrition Initiative.
On the progress of the Project Ekwueme programme, Kanu said 121 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) have been completed across the state. Of these, 17 are already functional, while another 33 are currently being equipped and will soon become operational, bringing the total number of functional PHCs to 50. A further 50 centres will be prepared in the third phase of the rollout.
He attributed the delay in delivering the PHCs within the initial 100-day timeline to expanded project scope, weather challenges, and occasional contractor lapses. However, he assured that the current phase will be completed by October 31, 2025, after which another phase will be launched.
Highlighting public confidence in the state’s health sector, Kanu disclosed that bed occupancy at Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) has surged from 50% in August 2024 to 100% since March 2025, sustained through August. He said this improvement reflects significant government investments in medical facilities and personnel.
Additionally, the State Executive Council has approved the Abia State Health, Safety, and Environment Policy, which Kanu described as a milestone aimed at safeguarding the health and well-being of civil servants. He noted that the policy will be backed by an implementation proposal to be endorsed by Governor Otti.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, were also present at the briefing.
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