The Abia State Government will on Tuesday (April 14, 2026) commence a five-day statewide medical outreach aimed at delivering free healthcare services to at least 1,500 residents.
The initiative, organised in collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), will provide a range of services including general medical consultations, surgeries, gynaecological procedures, and eye care interventions.
The State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists at the Government House in Umuahia. He said the outreach is part of ongoing efforts to expand access to quality and affordable healthcare across the state.
According to him, ANPA will provide medical expertise and consumables, while the state government will handle logistics and operational support.
Prof. Uche added that the programme will also include sexual and reproductive health education targeted at young people, in line with ANPA’s outreach policy of equipping youths with knowledge for informed life decisions.
He further revealed that about 80 health workers would be trained in basic life support and emergency response procedures.
“This training is critical in helping frontline health workers manage emergency cases such as cardiac arrest and unconscious patients, especially at peripheral health facilities,” he said.
The commissioner explained that the outreach aligns with the state government’s broader goal of achieving universal health coverage and improving healthcare delivery.
He noted that the initiative follows the success of a similar programme held in 2024, after which Governor Alex Otti directed the Ministry of Health in 2025 to partner with ANPA for the 2026 edition.
“We are expecting a team of about 25 doctors from the United States, who will work alongside our local medical personnel. Our target is to conduct at least 1,500 medical consultations and up to 100 surgeries within the period,” Uche said.
He urged residents, particularly those requiring surgical interventions such as fibroid removal and other essential procedures, to take advantage of the free services.
The commissioner also disclosed that specialist ophthalmologists would carry out free eye surgeries at the eye unit of the Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre.
He commended the state governor for approving funds and creating an enabling environment for the successful execution of the programme.
Prof. Uche further announced the launch of the Abia Healthcare Rebirth Initiative, a reform programme designed to promote compassionate care, strengthen medical ethics, and enhance service delivery across the state’s health sector.
He reassured residents that the outreach is open to all, including individuals who have not undergone prior screening for surgical procedures.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Abia ANPA 2026 Medical Outreach, Dr. Uloaku Ukaegbu, confirmed that preparations for the exercise had been concluded.
She disclosed that more than 250 individuals had already indicated interest in surgical procedures, adding that applications were currently under review to determine eligible cases.
Dr. Ukaegbu explained that prospective surgical patients would undergo proper screening and necessary investigations, while blood transfusion support, where required, would be provided at no cost.