Abia State governor Alex Otti, on Saturday, offered to cover the medical expenses of 30 Abia State residents in urgent need of surgery for various ailments, while finalizing plans for the establishing a Medical Village in the State.
The government recently rounded off a six-month-long free medical treatment for residents across the State.
Otti made the commitment following an appeal by a visiting Bulgarian non-governmental organization – Revive – which was on a medical outreach to the State.
Otti said that his administration is committed to ensuring a comprehensive overhaul of the healthcare facilities in the State, including building new ones, to improve the overall well-being of the citizens.
The governor emphasized that his administration takes healthcare delivery seriously, focusing on renovating and retrofitting health outfits. He also highlighted the prompt measures taken to restore accreditation for the Abia State University’s medical school and Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, both of which lost accreditation over two years ago.
Otti, who disclosed that the government is currently rehabilitating about 15 General Hospitals across the State, noted that his administration is still pushing ahead with plans to establish a ‘Medical Village.’ He believes the initiative would attract medical tourists to Abia and reverse the trend of people traveling to countries like India for their medical needs.
He commended the efforts of the visiting medical team, especially Mr. Smart Oriaku, for single-handedly bringing the Revive team to Abia.
The governor said: “I’m pleased to receive you and commend you for your labor of love. It is interesting that a single individual can do this. If all of us who have been blessed in one way or the other do what you’re doing, I’m sure this place would be a better place for everyone.”
The Revive medical team, led by a Nigerian of Abia origin, Mr. Smart Oriaku, visited Otti on Friday at the end of their 13-day medical outreach.
They thanked the governor for the support they received from the government and the people of the State while conducting their activities, including consultations, diagnosis, laboratory tests and scans, prescriptions, surgery, among others.
Oriaku said the medical mission was solely sponsored by his family – the Late Rev. David Ukeje Oriaku family of Okaiuga Nkwoegwu, Umuahia North LGA – in the spirit of giving back to society.
Oriaku disclosed that the team, within the 13 days of its outreach, performed over 700 consultations, conducted over 60 successful surgeries, ranging from Goiter to Hernia, among others. They kept a check on patients to ensure there were no complications.
He noted that all laboratory tests and scans, including CT Scan, Echography, and other laboratory tests recommended by the surgical team, were paid for by his family. Additionally, the medical bills of all women who gave birth at the Okaiuga Nkwoegwu Health center, the venue of the consultation, were covered, along with N10, 000 gift to the new mothers.
Oriaku informed Governor Otti of a new discovery in the cure of breast cancer without the victim undergoing the pains of chemotherapy. He pointed out that the team would like to use Abia as the base for the pilot, a request the governor responded to affirmatively.
Oriaku, who said he is among those who had almost given up hope on Abia State before the assumption of the present administration, expressed fulfillment that the medical mission, which could not hold under the past administration despite persistent requests and efforts, has been made possible under Governor Otti.
The Revive team, according to the leader, focuses on carrying out medical outreaches for the poor and the most vulnerable in society and is currently active in several African countries and beyond.