REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Governor Alex Otti of Abia state has announced plans to institutionalize collaboration with a US-based medical mission through a structured framework aimed at incorporating telemedicine and digital healthcare solutions.
Governor Otti while declaring open a five day free medical outreach organised by the state government in collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas ANPA at the Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia said his administration’s development agenda is anchored on improving the welfare of the people through deliberate investments in critical sectors especially the healthcare.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare as a driver of economic growth and social wellbeing stressing that infrastructure development must translate into real benefits for citizens.
The Governor commended the Association for returning to Abia for another round of medical outreach after two years, describing the organisation as a dependable partner in the state’s healthcare transformation efforts.
Governor Otti also disclosed that his administration has approved the recruitment of 851 healthcare professionals, with 629 already deployed to various facilities, as part of efforts to address manpower shortages and improve service delivery.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya-Uche, said the medical mission aligns with the healthcare reforms of Governor Otti, which include increased funding, infrastructure upgrades and digital health innovations.
He added that the medical outreach would provide free consultations, specialised surgeries and health education, as well as serve as a platform for collaboration, capacity building and strengthening of the state’s healthcare system.
Also speaking, President of ANPA, Dr Cliff Eke, described the initiative as part of diaspora-driven health intervention aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system through collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Dr Eke explained that the mission goes beyond medical outreach to include skills transfer, training and long-term system support, adding that the team has assembled a multidisciplinary group of professionals to deliver services across key areas of medicine
In her remarks earlier, the Chairperson of the Medical Mission Committee, Dr Uloaku Emma-Ukaegbu, noted that the partnership between the Abia State Government and ANPA has continued to yield significant results, disclosing that similar missions had in the pas treated over 15,000 residents and recorded more than 300 surgeries.
According to her, this similar 2026 exercise is held at the Abia Specialist Hospital for eye care and outpatient services as well as Aba General hospital for specialised surgeries.
Correspondent reports that the five days free medical outreach incorporates a sexual and reproductive health programme for youths in the state.
