Gov Otti Approves Comprehensive Overhaul Of Amachara General and Specialist Hospitals In Umuahia
The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has authorized the extensive modernization and retrofitting of the Amachara General Hospital and Abia Specialist Hospital, both located in Umuahia the capital city.
This announcement was made by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, during a press briefing that outlined the decisions from this week’s Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Otti.
According to Prince Kanu, the goal of this upgrade is to enhance the capacity of these healthcare facilities, enabling them to provide a broader range of high-quality medical services. The improvements will focus on specialized areas such as internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, and various surgical procedures, including general brain and spine surgeries.
The Commissioner emphasized that the upgrade is expected to be completed within the next 12 to 15 weeks, affecting both the infrastructure and facilities of the two institutions.
“In line with the ongoing health sector reforms in Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti has approved the upgrade and retrofitting of Amachara General Hospital to elevate it to a specialist hospital providing top-tier healthcare services,” stated Kanu.
He further added, “The Diagnostic Center will also be upgraded to offer a full range of diagnostic and surgical services.”
Additionally, the Executive Council has approved the Abia Integrated Water Sanitation and Hygiene Accelerated Programme, which will enhance water facilities and treatment processes across the state. As part of this initiative, 10 solar-powered sanitation facilities will be installed across the three senatorial zones of Abia.
Prince Kanu also announced that the Governor will inaugurate the 41.4-kilometer Arochukwu-Ohafia Federal Road on Wednesday. This project is part of the Governor’s commitment to improving road infrastructure, fulfilling a key campaign promise to the residents of the area.
As Abia State marks its 33rd anniversary on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, Prince Kanu mentioned that there would be no official celebrations. Instead, he encouraged citizens to reflect on the state’s progress.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, said that the comprehensive upgrade of the hospitals is aimed at transforming them into centers of excellence in various medical specialties.
Prof. Uche highlighted that the modernization would not only enhance existing facilities but also introduce cutting-edge equipment and services.
“The Governor has also approved funding for the recruitment of highly skilled specialists across various medical fields to ensure that the people of Abia receive the highest quality of healthcare,” Prof. Uche said.
“In the coming days and weeks, the results of these upgrades and retrofits will become increasingly evident,” he added.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday, explained that the state is implementing the Abia Integrated Water Sanitation and Hygiene Accelerated Programme to tackle water supply challenges, which are critical to public health.
This initiative, organized into three phases, will retrofit existing boreholes with solar-powered systems, particularly in rural areas, to ensure a consistent water supply without dependence on the power grid.
“When we assumed office, we evaluated all water facilities in the state and found that none of the 58 core water facilities was producing even a liter of water,” Mr. Monday explained.
“Our plan is to convert these boreholes to solar power, especially in rural areas, so that people can access water without the issue of power supply being a constraint. We also intend to integrate water treatment based on thorough water analysis.” he stated.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma was there during the press conference.