The Deputy Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, has emphasised the need for a stronger alliance between the Abia State Government and Federal Tertiary Hospitals across Nigeria to enhance healthcare delivery, medical research, training and innovation.

Emetu made the call yesterday at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, while welcoming members of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals across Nigeria to their 115th meeting, hosted by the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

Representing the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, the Deputy Governor said the choice of Abia as the venue for the meeting reflected confidence in the ongoing transformation taking place in the state, particularly in the health sector.

“The Abia you are visiting today is a far cry from the Old Abia. We are intentionally reshaping that narrative. Abia is ready for business, healthcare partnerships, and collaboration,” he stated.

Emetu commended the Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors for their leadership and dedication in managing institutions that provide tertiary healthcare, train the next generation of healthcare professionals and advance medical research.

He noted that the Otti administration had continued to prioritise healthcare as a critical component of its social infrastructure development agenda, maintaining a commitment to allocating 15 per cent of the state’s annual budget to the sector.

The Deputy Governor highlighted the revitalisation of primary healthcare facilities through Project Ekwueme, the recruitment of healthcare professionals, the upgrading of specialist and tertiary healthcare institutions, as well as the growing adoption of technology and innovation in healthcare delivery.

According to him, the administration’s vision extends beyond improving existing facilities, as it seeks to position Abia as a leading healthcare destination in Africa.

“Our goal isn’t just to improve on our past. We aspire to create a healthcare system that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in Africa,” he said.

Emetu subsequently called on the medical leaders to contribute their expertise, professional networks and institutional experience to the proposed Abia Medical City.

He described the project as a holistic healthcare ecosystem that would integrate tertiary and specialist care, medical education, research, diagnostics, pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical technology and other related services.

“We truly believe that the combined expertise in this room can help turn that vision into reality,” he stated.

Earlier, the Secretary to the Abia State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, welcomed the delegation and commended the Otti administration for its interventions in the health sector.

Meribole said the state had strengthened its healthcare workforce through recruitment at various levels, including consultants, while also improving pay and working conditions.

He also highlighted the growing collaboration between the Abia State Government and the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, describing the federal institution as a “sister institution” to the state.

The SSG encouraged the visiting medical directors to explore the state, witness the ongoing transformation and share their observations and insights with their respective institutions and states.

In his address, the Chairman of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria and Chief Medical Director of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Professor Sa’ad Ahmed, explained that the committee chose Abia for the meeting to assess developments at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, and strengthen its relationship with the state government.

Professor Ahmed expressed appreciation for the collaboration between the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, and the Abia State Government.

“We’ve noticed remarkable advancements in infrastructure, healthcare services, and various other areas, and we’re truly impressed by what we’ve witnessed in Abia,” he said.

He commended the state government’s efforts in upgrading primary healthcare centres and general hospitals, recruiting healthcare professionals, expanding health insurance coverage and improving emergency medical services.

The committee chairman also praised the extensive infrastructure development across the state, noting that the transformation witnessed on the way into Abia demonstrated how systematic planning and effective leadership could deliver significant progress within a relatively short period.

In his closing remarks, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Professor Azubuike Kanayo Onyebuchi, thanked Governor Otti for supporting the hosting of the 115th meeting.

Onyebuchi disclosed that the Abia State Government was constructing a 20-room VIP ward at the Federal Medical Centre, describing the project as an important step towards the growth and development of the hospital.

He also acknowledged the state government’s intervention in restoring the hospital’s oxygen-generation capacity after the facility experienced problems with its oxygen plants.

The CMD said the support demonstrated the importance of the partnership between the Abia State Government and the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, in advancing healthcare delivery.

The event was attended by the Abia State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche; Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Kalu U. Kalu; Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Adefunke Adegbite; Director-General of Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Abubakar Isah; as well as other directors, senior government officials and healthcare administrators.