Health

Alex Otti Launches Upgraded Primary Health Centre in Abia

Published

8 months ago

March 5, 2026

Q Tinny

Abia Governor Alex Otti inaugurates Alaukwu Ward Primary Health Centre in Isiala Ngwa South as part of Project Ekwueme to expand access to quality healthcare

Governor Alex Otti on Wednesday inaugurated the Alaukwu Ward Primary Health Centre in Umuagu, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State, marking the commencement of the functionalisation of primary healthcare centres under the administration’s “Project Ekwueme” initiative.

Also read: Abia Secures $200m AfDB Agro-Industrial Project

The governor said the retrofitting of primary healthcare facilities across the state was designed to bring quality healthcare services closer to communities.

Represented at the event by the Commissioner for Health, Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, the governor said the upgraded centres were fully equipped to meet the healthcare needs of residents and could compete with modern facilities in developed countries.

“We are bringing healthcare to the people. If you enter this primary health centre, you will see equipment that is similar to what you have in London. If you enter the labour room, you will see the same facilities you would in any well-equipped teaching hospital,” he said.

According to him, the state government has sustained a 15 per cent budgetary allocation to the health sector, which he described as consistent with the benchmark recommended by the United Nations for healthcare spending.

Otti also disclosed that the government plans to deploy one medical doctor to each of the state’s 17 local government areas to supervise operations at primary healthcare centres.

The governor urged community members to take ownership of the facility and protect public infrastructure from vandalism.

The lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Dennis Chinwendu, commended the governor for delivering the project and assured that residents would safeguard the facility.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Abia State Debt Management Office, Kingsley Nwaigburu, praised the governor for ongoing developmental projects in the state and called for continued public support for the administration.

The Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, represented by Deputy Mayor Vivian Obilor, also applauded the renovation of the centre and encouraged residents to make effective use of the facility.

Similarly, the Health Administration Secretary for the local government, Nkechi Chima, advised residents to avoid unqualified medical practitioners and instead patronise the upgraded healthcare facilities.

In a vote of thanks, the chairman of the Labour Party in Isiala Ngwa South urged residents to participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise while supporting the government’s development initiatives.

Also read: PFN Urges Abia Governor Alex Otti to Stay in Politics

The inauguration forms part of broader efforts by the Abia State government to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and expand access to quality medical services at the grassroots level.

Up Next

Lagos Arrests 275 Residents for Open Defecation

Don't Miss

FEC Approves N9.99bn for ARVs, Cancer Centre Upgrades

Q Tinny

Click to comment

Health

Kenya Releases 20 Ebola Contacts After 21 Days in Quarantine

Published

47 minutes ago

October 26, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Kenya Ebola contacts: 20 people have been released after 21 days in quarantine without symptoms as health authorities continue outbreak monitoring

Kenya has released 20 people linked to its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease after they completed 21 days of quarantine without developing symptoms, as health authorities continue efforts to contain the outbreak.

Also read: 2027: Shettima Says Peter Obi Has Nothing to Offer Nigerians

The World Health Organisation’s Regional Office for Africa announced the development on Monday, October 26, 2026, saying the individuals had undergone final health assessments and received counselling on precautions and follow-up care where necessary before reuniting with their families.

Kenya’s Director-General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, urged communities to welcome the released individuals without stigma.

“We ask communities to welcome them home warmly,” Amoth said. “Having completed 21 days without symptoms, they pose no risk of infection to anyone.”

The WHO said 98 contacts remained in quarantine as of Monday, while eight contacts had developed symptoms and tested positive for Ebola through laboratory tests.

According to the organisation, all eight individuals were already in quarantine when they developed symptoms and were subsequently transferred to the country’s Ebola treatment centre in Nairobi.

Kenya has recorded nine confirmed cases and two deaths since reporting its first imported case on October 6, 2026.

The WHO said all nine cases were linked to the same cluster, with no evidence of wider community transmission at the time of its update.

The organisation said health authorities had traced all 135 contacts, both within Kenya and internationally, by October 22, placing them under quarantine and monitoring.

The WHO continues to support Kenya’s response through coordination, disease surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, case management, infection prevention and control, screening at points of entry, and public health communication.

The WHO Representative to Kenya, Dr Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, said people who completed quarantine had helped protect their families and communities.

“People who complete quarantine have helped protect their families, their communities and the whole country,” she said.

Kimambo also commended Kenya’s Ministry of Health, the Kenya National Public Health Institute, and national and county health teams for responding to new cases.

The WHO said there was no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo virus disease, but early detection and supportive medical care could improve the chances of recovery.

It advised against travel restrictions, recommending evidence-based measures such as health screening at entry and exit points, surveillance and contact tracing instead.

Also read: 2027: Shettima Says Peter Obi Has Nothing to Offer Nigerians

Although the release of the first 20 contacts marks progress in Kenya’s response, health authorities continue to monitor those still in quarantine and maintain surveillance to identify any further cases promptly.