PARTNERSHIPS IN HEALTHCARE SAVE ABIA OVER N2.5 BILLION – ABSG

The Abia State Government says a new report from the Ministry of Health shows that strategic partnerships and interventions introduced by the Otti administration have saved the state more than N2.5 billion in healthcare costs.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing at Government House, Umuahia, after this week’s Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

Prince Kanu explained that the state’s collaboration with reputable global health organisations, driven by the governor’s visionary leadership, has significantly strengthened Abia’s healthcare system and saved countless lives.

He listed some of the key partners as Revive Belgium, ProHealth, the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, Living Hope Foundation, and the NDDC, among others.

The Commissioner further announced that from December 15 to 18, the state will host the Abia Global Medical Mission, a major outreach programme jointly organized by the state government, the Abia State Diaspora Council, and the Ministry of Health.

“The outreach promises to be a landmark event that will positively impact the lives of Abians in many meaningful ways,” he said.

Providing updates on infrastructure, Prince Kanu revealed that 81 out of the 102 Primary Health Centres earmarked in the first phase of Project Ekwueme have been fully functionalized. He added that the remaining 92 centres will be equipped and activated in the new year.

He also announced that the Maternal and Childbirth Programme (Round 2) will kick off on Tuesday, December 9. The initiative is a collaboration involving the Office of the First Lady, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Women Affairs, with the Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency serving as the implementing body.

In another development, he revealed that the National Malaria Elimination Programme is establishing a vector surveillance laboratory at the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, to monitor malaria prevalence across the state.

Speaking on other government activities, Kanu noted that the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation has a busy week ahead. Earlier on Monday, a Startathon (Hackathon) kicked off at the UNDP-built Unipod at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture. He said that the upcoming summit will showcase groundbreaking innovations from SMEs, developers, young entrepreneurs, and other tech talents.

The summit will also feature the official launch of the Abia Technology Startup Law, aimed at strengthening digital innovation and entrepreneurial growth in the state.

Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture will unveil the Abia Agricultural Dynamic Database System (Abia ADDS) during the summit, a digital platform designed to enhance data-driven planning and support innovation across the agricultural value chain.

Responding to questions about reports of hijacking and kidnapping along the Owerrinta–Airport Road, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, said the claims remain unverified. He assured the public that the Otti administration remains committed to safeguarding lives and property, especially during the festive season.

Present at the briefing were the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. David Kalu, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Kingsley Anosike, among others.