Abia intensifies healthcare reform, targets 250 upgraded health centres by year end

The Abia State Government says it is on course to complete the renovation and equipping of at least 200 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the state before the end of this year, as part of its renewed commitment to deliver accessible and quality healthcare to residents.

Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, made this known in Umuahia on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting.

He said the government has already completed 102 PHCs, with work ongoing on the remaining 98 centres, which will be ready before December. The state is also rehabilitating over 50 out of the 79 World Bank-supported Impact PHCs, bringing the total number of upgraded facilities expected by year-end to about 250.

Kanu noted that the initiative aligns with Governor Alex Otti’s vision of strengthening healthcare delivery at the grassroots and ensuring that every community has access to functional health facilities.

“We are delighted that Abians are beginning to patronise these centres across the state, which shows confidence in the ongoing reforms in the health sector,” he said.

The commissioner further announced that the state is collaborating with world-class hospitals in Sweden and other international partners to conduct a series of medical outreach programmes.

The outreach programmes, scheduled in phases, include the ProHealth International Outreach from November 16 to 22, the Abia Diaspora Medical Outreach from December 12 to 19, the AMPA Medical Outreach in April 2026, and the Abia–Swedish Global Health Outreach in May 2026.

Kanu disclosed that, as part of efforts to motivate healthcare workers, the government has approved the implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for local government health employees, making Abia one of the few states in Nigeria to adopt the federal salary scale.

To address manpower shortages, the state has also reopened its health sector recruitment portal, inviting qualified professionals such as ophthalmologists, medical officers, dental officers, and consultants to apply for both full-time and part-time positions.

On secondary healthcare, the commissioner revealed that construction of three specialist hospitals is underway. He said the government recently reviewed the designs and scope of the facilities to ensure they meet international standards.

He also disclosed that Governor Otti has directed the immediate activation of the solar power project at the SDG Hospital, Ugwunagbo, to guarantee uninterrupted power supply for patients and staff.

Speaking on the state’s energy and infrastructure initiatives, Kanu reported that the Light-Up Abia project continues to gain momentum, with the installation of a 300kVA transformer substation already in progress and a 33kVA power line survey from Ihechiowa (Arochukwu LGA) to Asaga (Ohafia LGA) nearing completion.

He assured residents that all lands acquired by the government will be used strictly for the projects for which they were obtained, reiterating the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, said the government undertook a comprehensive audit of health workers in local governments before approving the CONHESS salary structure, to ensure proper implementation.

He added that the reform has eliminated salary disparities among healthcare workers, while about 500 newly recruited nurses are currently undergoing documentation and deployment.

Prof. Uche reaffirmed that the Otti administration’s healthcare reforms are designed to guarantee better access to medical services, motivate personnel, and restore public confidence in the state’s health institutions.