Otti Approves Upgrade Of Hospitals In Abia

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has approved the comprehensive upgrade and retrofitting of the Amachara General Hospital and Abia Specialist Hospital, all in Umuahia.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week's Executive Council meeting presided over by the Governor.

According to the Commissioner, the essence of the upgrade is to enable the healthcare facilities to offer an expanded scope of high-quality Medicare in certain special areas including internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, surgical services, and general brain and spine surgeries among others.

He said the intended upgrade would come on stream within the next 12 to 15 weeks, adding that both facilities and structures in the two health institutions would be affected.
"In furtherance to the ongoing reforms in the health sector of the state, His Excellency Dr Alex Otti OFR had approved the upgrade and retrofitting of the Amachara General Hospital to offer the highest of specialist hospital and health care services”.

The Commissioner also revealed that the Executive Council also approved the Abia Integrated Water Sanitation and Hygiene Accelerated Programme which includes the upgrade of water facilities and water treatment.

He added that the state government would install 10 solar-powered sanitation facilities across the three senatorial zones of the state.

Prince Kanu revealed that the Governor would on Wednesday, flag off the 41.4 kilometre Arochukwu-Ohafia Federal road maintaining that the aim is to provide comfort and convenience to Abians on all the roads in the state. This is in fulfilment of one of his campaign promises to the people of the area.

Meanwhile,, the Commissioner for Health, Prof Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche said the complete overhaul of the Abia Specialist Hospital and Amachara General Hospital is designed to elevate the health institutions to centres of excellence in various medical specialities adding that this will not only improve the existing facilities but will also introduce new, state-of-the-art equipment and services.

He revealed that the state government has approved funds for the recruitment of high-calibre specialists across various medical fields to ensure that Abia people receive the best in terms of quality healthcare services.