Otti flags-off N10bn primary healthcare rehabilitation project
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State government has commenced the rehabilitation of the 948 Primary Healthcare Centres across the 184 electoral Wards in state which is expected to gulp about N10 billion.
Governor Alex Otti, on Monday, at the Ngwu Uzuakoli Primary Healthcare Centre, flagged off the rehabilitation, remodelling and retrofitting of the PHCs in batches of 200 to be completed in 100 days. The project is tagged
Tagged “Project Ekwueme” (matching words with action), it was gathered that an independent power supply from renewable energy sources, efficient water supply system, and other support infrastructure to improve the operational environment, preserve drug supplies and medical consumables would be provided in each of the PHCs.
Governor Otti, while flagging off the rehabilitation of the first batch of 200 PHCs at Ngwu Uzuakoli Primary Healthcare Centre in Bende local government area, said that he initiated the project in pursuit of the broad objectives for the healthcare delivery system.
“We have gathered this afternoon to flag-off a project that will see the State Government renovate and provide operational infrastructure to 200 primary healthcare facilities across the 184 wards in the State over the next 100 days.
“This initiative is set up to improve access to quality healthcare, especially in the rural communities, reduce exposure to quacks and fake drugs and effectively improve good health and longevity for the general populace.
“This initiative has been tagged “Project Ekwueme” by our team at the State Ministry of Health because it practically speaks to our commitment to fulfilling the key promises we made to change the healthcare delivery landscape in the State for the better”, Gov. Otti explained.
The Governor said that the primary healthcare facilities his administration intends to set-up in all parts of the state would have its independent power supply from renewable energy sources, efficient water supply system, and other support infrastructure to improve the operational environment, preserve drug supplies and medical consumables.
He said that his administration was committed to using of high quality and durable materials for the rehabilitation of the PHCs and warned that he would not tolerate any form of mediocrity as every contractor would be required to provide post-delivery infrastructure maintenance services at the facilities for, at least, five years.
According to him, the project was being set up to benefit present and future generations of Ndi Abia by improving their maternal care, child birth management records and first level care to anyone who needs medical assistance on a round-the-clock basis.
He encouraged community leaders and other stakeholders to be part of the project monitoring efforts and ensure that acts of sabotage against the facilities are frustrated.
The member representing Bende South State Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi, while describing the PHCs rehabilitation as a landmark project, said that he was convinced that the Governor was willing to develop Abia, assuring that his people would protect the project.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, while highlighting the achievements of Governor Otti in the health sector, recalled that the Governor did not just declared state of emergency in health secor in the State on resumption of office, but he went ahead to allocate 15 percent of the total budget of 2024 and 2025 to healthcare.
Prof. Uche disclosed that the government was investing about N10.7 Billon in the entire “Project Ekwueme,” describing primary healthcare as a very important aspect of health care services becuse it was not only the first point of call, but addresses the third objective of SDGs.
He told the gathering that the project (first batch) would be completed by February, 2025.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman and Mayor of Bende Local Government Area, Deacon Uwabunkeonye Bassey commended the Governor for the project and said that it would reduce the high maternal mortality rate in the local government.
Bassey described the Governor as an action Governor and assured that Bende people would continue to support him.
In their goodwill messages, the Abia State Government National Assembly Liaison Officer, Mr. Ifeanyi Chinasa, the Matron-in-Charge of Ngwu Health Centre, Mrs. Ihuoma Kalu, and President-General of Uzuakoli Development Union, Barr. Prince Okechukwu, among others, said they were happy with the Governor’s decision to retrofit the PHC facilities in the state and prayed God to bless him.
