Pecohub The Abia State Government has approved plans to establish two additional isolation centres as part of efforts to boost disease control and strengthen the state’s healthcare system.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu said the decision marks a significant step in Abia State’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and enhancing disease preparedness, especially in light of lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed gaps in isolation facilities across the country.
The Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya-Uche, explained that the new centres would be located at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Aba, and the Ozuakoli Leprosy Centre. He noted that the Amachara Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre would remain the state’s flagship isolation facility.
Professor Ogbonnaya-Uche also assured that Abia has not recorded any recent cases of diseases of public health concern.
In addition, the State Executive Council has approved the domestication of the Federal Government’s Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative, aimed at reducing maternal deaths nationwide.
The Health Commissioner further revealed plans to establish new general hospitals in Ohanku (Ukwa East) and Umunneochi, while a brand-new general hospital will be constructed in Okpualangwa to replace the defunct facility in the area.
