Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, the Executive Governor of Abia State, has earned high praise from the Committee of Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria for his administration’s impactful reforms and investments in the health sector.

This recognition came during a gala night organized by the Abia State Government for the CMDs and MDs at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, coinciding with the 115th Quarterly Meeting of the Committee.

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At the event, Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, represented Governor Otti and reassured the visiting medical directors of the administration's unwavering commitment to good governance and development. He emphasized that Abia would not revert to what he referred to as the “Egypt” of poor governance.

Engr. Emetu highlighted the administration's focus on investing in the youth through the Abia State Leadership Academy, aiming to equip them with the necessary knowledge and values to uphold good governance long after the current administration has concluded.

He reiterated that the Otti-led administration is dedicated to building strong institutions and enhancing human capacity to ensure the sustainability of the progress made in the state.

Earlier, Prof. Ogbonnaya Enoch Uche, the Commissioner for Health, noted that Abia State has experienced remarkable changes in the health sector under the current administration.

He shared that in just three years, 277 primary healthcare centers have been rehabilitated, with 151 already operational and 232 completed. Additionally, 12 general hospitals are either being renovated or newly constructed to guarantee that residents across all 17 local government areas have access to effective secondary healthcare facilities.

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It would be recalled that the Committee had paid a courtesy visit to the Governor two days earlier at the Government House, Umuahia.

Prof. Uche also pointed out the exciting launch of the 80-bed Ohafia General Hospital, which he proudly mentioned has been fully digitalized and outfitted with cutting-edge medical and telehealth facilities. The Commissioner shared that the state government has been consistently dedicating 15 percent of its annual budget to the health sector, sticking to the guidelines set by the Abuja Declaration. He went on to reveal that 821 healthcare workers have already been brought on board, with approval in place to hire an additional 1,000 health professionals.

Prof. Uche further noted that nearly 300,000 residents of Abia have signed up for the state health insurance scheme since its relaunch by the Otti administration. He encouraged medical graduates from federal institutions to consider Abia State as a prime spot for their careers, assuring them that the state is actively recruiting healthcare workers and offers salaries that are competitive with those at the federal level.

In addition, Prof. Saad Ahmed, the Chairman of the Committee of CMDs and MDs, expressed his gratitude to the Abia State Government for the warm welcome extended to the committee members. He mentioned that the visiting medical directors had the chance to see firsthand the remarkable changes happening throughout the state. 

Prof. Ahmed praised the Otti administration’s investments in primary and secondary healthcare, human resource development, and health insurance. He also urged the Governor to create a fellowship program that would allow young graduates from all over Nigeria to come to Abia and learn about good governance, leadership, and community development.

Chief Matthew Uguru, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Medical Centre in Umuahia, also commended Governor Otti for his support of the hospital, especially regarding the upkeep of its internal roads and the construction of a new 20-room VIP ward.

In his speech, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre in Umuahia, Prof. Onyebuchi Azubuike, highlighted how the 115th Quarterly Meeting served as a great platform for CMDs and MDs to compare their institutions' performance with the best practices from around the country. Prof. Azubuike expressed his gratitude to the Abia State Government for hosting the gala night, calling it a true reflection of the “spirit of the new Abia.” He encouraged the visiting medical directors to unwind and soak in the warm hospitality of the state.

Top government functionaries were in attendance, including the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa; Senior Special Assistant on Tourism and Entertainment, Dr. J. Okechukwu Martins, amongst others.