Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has officially launched a five-day medical mission organised by the state government in partnership with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in Americas (ANPA). The free medical outreach is taking place in Aba and Umuahia, the state capital.
Declaring the mission open, Governor Otti expressed gratitude to ANPA for their return to Abia for the 2026 medical mission, noting their previous outreach two years prior. He highlighted ANPA as reliable development partners who not only address difficult health conditions but also provide hands-on training and mentorship to local healthcare professionals.
Otti also acknowledged the contribution of ophthalmologists from a sister state who joined the mission to address critical healthcare needs. He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to prioritising healthcare, stating that his policies are geared towards improving the social and economic well-being of the people.
The governor urged for more structured and long-term collaboration with ANPA, directing the State Ministry of Health to initiate discussions for a formal partnership framework. He expressed a desire for ANPA's involvement in remote consultations, advisory services through a digital health services portal, and other support systems leveraging their global reach.
The overarching goal, Otti stated, is to improve the health and well-being of Abians, particularly vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, nursing mothers, newborns, and infants. He emphasised that quality healthcare delivery is central to the population's wealth, prosperity, and the restoration of human dignity.
He further directed the Commissioner for Health and his team to engage in further negotiations with Dr Cliff Eke and the ANPA leadership to develop this structured partnership framework.
Boniface Isienyi, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Health, commended the governor's efforts in the healthcare sector and thanked ANPA for their presence in Abia.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, described the medical mission as a testament to the state government's strategic approach to health sector reforms through global partnerships. He noted that Abia's healthcare reforms have led to increased hospital patronage and improved health indices, positioning the state as a national leader.
Prof. Uche stated that this medical mission aims for at least 1,500 consultations and over 100 free surgeries, encouraging residents to utilise the opportunity. Dr Cliff Eke, President of ANPA, described the initiative as part of a broader diaspora-driven health intervention to strengthen healthcare systems in Nigeria. He highlighted that this is ANPA's first time conducting back-to-back missions in Abia, attributing it to the governor's commitment.
Eke added that ANPA's involvement extends beyond medical services to include capacity building, knowledge exchange, and long-term system strengthening through partnerships and telemedicine. Dr Uloaku Ukaegbu, Chairman of the Medical Mission Committee, expressed appreciation for the governor's support and noted that over 15,000 residents benefited from similar missions in the past year, with more than 300 surgeries conducted.
Ukaegbu also highlighted a youth-focused sexual and reproductive health programme at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic. Dr Nnenna Ihekorommadu, CEO of Quantus Medical Foundation, spoke about the forthcoming Abia Healthcare Rebirth Initiative, aimed at promoting compassionate care, accountability, and excellence in healthcare delivery, which will complement existing efforts by strengthening healthcare worker capacity.
