Otti declares 2026 medical mission open, targets health investment; plans telemedicine, digital solutions 

Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, says ongoing improvements in infrastructure, security and environmental services have positioned the state as an emerging destination for investment in healthcare and other key sectors.

Otti also unveiled plans to institutionalise collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), with a structured framework that will incorporate telemedicine and digital healthcare solutions.

The governor made this known while declaring open the 2026 medical mission of ANPA at the Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare as a driver of economic growth and social wellbeing, stressing that investments in the sector are critical to improving productivity and long-term prosperity.

The 2026 medical mission, organised by ANPA in collaboration with the Abia State Government, is aimed at expanding access to free, quality healthcare services while strengthening the state’s health system through partnerships and capacity building.

Otti noted that beyond providing immediate medical relief to residents, the outreach would enhance the capacity of local health workers through knowledge transfer and exposure to global best practices.

He emphasised that his administration’s development agenda is anchored on improving the welfare of citizens through deliberate investments in critical sectors, particularly healthcare.

According to him, infrastructure development must directly impact the lives of the people.

“Physical infrastructure projects, whatever the cost, mean nothing if they are not directly connected to our central governance agenda,” he said.

“At the centre of our development framework is the holistic welfare of the human population. Everything we have done in the last 35 months is driven by the desire to enhance the social and economic experiences of our people.

“We do not separate the health of the people from the prosperity of the economy; they are one and the same,” the governor added.

He commended ANPA for returning to the state for another round of medical outreach, describing the organisation as a dependable partner in Abia’s healthcare transformation.

Otti disclosed that his administration has approved the recruitment of 851 healthcare professionals, with 629 already deployed to health facilities across the state to address manpower shortages and improve service delivery.

He expressed optimism that the outreach would have a lasting impact on beneficiaries through lives saved and renewed hope.

The governor also called for a more structured and long-term collaboration with ANPA, directing the State Ministry of Health to initiate discussions toward a formal partnership framework.

“We want ANPA to be involved in the entire spectrum of our healthcare delivery efforts, from remote consultations through our soon-to-be-launched digital health services portal to other support systems that will enable the state benefit from their global exposure,” he said.

He reiterated that the ultimate goal remains improving the health and wellbeing of residents, particularly vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, nursing mothers, newborns and infants.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Health, Enoch Uche, said reforms introduced by the Otti administration have significantly improved healthcare utilisation, noting a steady rise in hospital visits across the state.

He added that the medical mission would provide free consultations, specialised surgeries and health education, while also serving as a platform for collaboration and capacity building.

Also speaking, ANPA President, Cliff Eke, described the initiative as a diaspora-driven intervention aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system through collaboration and knowledge exchange.

He explained that the mission goes beyond medical outreach to include training, skills transfer and long-term system support, noting that a multidisciplinary team of professionals has been assembled to deliver services across key areas of medicine.

Earlier, Chairperson of the Medical Mission Committee, Uloaku Ukaegbu, said previous missions treated over 15,000 residents and carried out more than 300 surgeries.

She disclosed that this year’s exercise, which commenced earlier at Abia Specialist Hospital and Aba General Hospital, is providing eye care, outpatient services and specialised surgeries, alongside a sexual and reproductive health programme for youths at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.

In her contribution, Chief Executive Officer of Quantus Medical Foundation, Nnenna Ihekorommadu, highlighted the forthcoming Abia Healthcare Rebirth Initiative, aimed at promoting compassionate care, accountability and excellence in healthcare delivery.

She noted that the initiative would complement ongoing reforms by strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers through training and value reorientation.