By Ijendu Iheaka
Umuahia, Aug. 26, 2024
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has approved the upgrade and retrofitting of the Amachara General Hospital in Umuahia, to be done within three months.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday at a news conference on the outcomes of the weekly Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Umuahia.
He said that the upgrade would enable the hospital to offer the highest quality of medical services to Abia people.
He added that the upgrade would ensure the establishment of departments that would cater for internal medicine, kidney care, neurology and surgery, minimal invasion surgery, eye care and others.
He said “approval has also been granted for upgrade of the Umuahia Diagnostic Centre to offer all cadre of diagnostic laboratory and imagery services.
“The governor has approved funds for the upgrade and for hiring of medical and healthcare specialists who would render necessary supportive services at the centre.”
The commissioner said that the council had also approved the upgrade of the Abia State Wash Integrated Programme, which would include the upgrade of key water facilities and water treatment with solar power.
Kanu said that the state government had constructed 10 solar-powered ultra-modern sanitary facilities across the three senatorial districts to discourage open defecation.
He announced that the governor would on Wednesday launch the reconstruction of the Ohafia-Arochukwu road, which is a federal road.
He explained that the government embarked on the reconstruction of the 41.4 kilometer road because of its importance to the life of the people.
He said “Otti is focusing on opening of roads to aid transportation of farm produce to markets.”
He also said that Abia would be 33 years by Aug. 27, being Tuesday, stressing that it would be a quite day without celebration.
He added that the day would provide government personnel the opportunity to plan ahead for a better Abia.
The Abia Health Commissioner, Prof. Ogbonaya Uche, who also briefed the press, said the government would do a comprehensive upgrade of the Umuahia Diagnostic Centre and the Amachara General Hospital.
He said the hospital would have a Nephrology, Cardiology, General surgery, Brain and Spine Surgery departments, with upgraded facilities for Obstetrics and Gynecology.
He said the plan to build a medical village is still on course, stressing that the government wants to take care of the people’s health first with these facilities.
The Commissioner for Public Utilities and Power, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Alex Otti, Mr. Ukoha Njoku, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma were also at the briefing.
