Abia to Launch 2026 Free Medical Mission, Targets 1,500 Consultations

The Abia State Government has announced that the 2026 edition of its Free Medical Mission will commence on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists after this week’s State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting. He added that the official opening ceremony will hold at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia at 10:00 a.m.

According to him, the programme aims to provide 1,500 medical consultations and carry out 100 specialised surgeries. The consultations and surgeries will take place at Aba General Hospital, while eye care services will be offered at the Abia Specialist and Diagnostic Centre in Umuahia. Services related to sexual and reproductive health will be provided at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic.

Kanu also revealed that Abia’s health sector reforms have recently received international recognition following a visit by a World Bank team. The team reviewed the state’s public finance management systems in the health sector and commended Governor Alex Otti for his focused approach to reform.

He noted that since assuming office in 2023, the administration has consistently allocated 15 per cent of the state’s annual budget to the health sector, a move that has attracted attention both locally and internationally.

In a related development, Abia State has been approved by the World Bank to benefit from a $250 million health security grant aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery across the country.