Abia State’s healthcare sector received a significant boost as Governor Alex Otti officially commissioned newly retrofitted Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) under the ambitious Project Ekwueme, aimed at revitalizing 200 PHCs across all 184 wards in the state. The commissioning event, held at Ibeku High School Field in Umuahia, marks a milestone in Governor Otti’s health reform agenda launched shortly after taking office.
The newly retrofitted PHCs include facilities in Owerinta (Isiala Ngwa South), Amibo (Umuahia South), and Ekeoba (Umuahia North), chosen based on population needs and service gaps. Each center is now equipped with modern medical devices such as point-of-care ultrasound scanners to enhance early diagnosis and maternal care. This upgrade is part of a broader strategy to reduce maternal mortality, which has already dropped from 117 to below 70 per 100,000 women since the reforms began.
Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, described the initiative as a “watershed moment” for Abia’s healthcare, emphasizing Project Ekwueme’s goal to rejuvenate the primary health system, reduce avoidable deaths, and bring quality healthcare closer to communities. Governor Otti reiterated his commitment to equitable healthcare, stressing that “every ward in Abia deserves access to quality primary care,” and urged communities to protect the facilities from vandalism.
Beyond healthcare, Governor Otti announced plans to reconstruct the deteriorating Ikot-Ekpene Road, linking it to the newly commissioned IBB Way in Umuahia North, underscoring his administration’s holistic approach to infrastructure development regardless of federal or state designation.
Dr. Kingsley Nwaigburu, Coordinator of Project Ekwueme in Abia Central, confirmed that 64 PHCs in the senatorial zone are completed or near completion, highlighting the project’s tangible impact on grassroots communities. Traditional leaders, including Eze Ambassador Iheanyichukwu Nwokenna of Ekeoba Kingdom, praised the government’s bold, community-focused intervention as a “new dawn” for Abia.
The event also featured the commissioning of major roads and cultural presentations, reflecting growing public approval of Governor Otti’s people-first policies. Project Ekwueme is widely regarded by experts and residents as a model for subnational healthcare reform, emphasizing equity, accessibility, and measurable health outcomes in Abia State.
