The Abia State Ministry of Health has established a biomedical unit to install, maintain and repair medical equipment across state-run hospitals, as well as prevent the breakdown of facilities.
The Commissioner for Information in the state, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
He said the unit is backed by a hands-on training programme for biomedical engineers and ministry staff, being run in partnership with MedStar USA and CPR USA engineers currently in the state.
The commissioner revealed that the training was flagged off on May 12, 2026, by Otti, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Meribole, and will run until May 22, 2026.
He said the initiative is part of broader efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
The state also plans to distribute three million insecticide-treated mosquito nets in September 2026 as part of its malaria control programme, which saw prevalence drop from 16.5 per cent in 2024 to 11.5 per cent in 2025.
He said, “Several health facilities are set for completion and commissioning during the state’s third anniversary celebrations later this month.
“Governor Otti will commission Phase 1 of Obingwa General Hospital and Arochukwu General Hospital. In addition, 15 primary health centres (PHCs) currently being equipped will be functionalised and commissioned.
“The state has also begun onboarding more PHCs onto the Digital Health Project, with four facilities set for inclusion in this phase.”
On public health, the commissioner said the state is monitoring global alerts after the World Health Organization and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control issued advisories on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
He stressed that there are no confirmed cases of Ebola, COVID-19, Lassa fever, Mpox, diphtheria, yellow fever, cholera or rabies in Abia State.
“Residents are urged to maintain personal and environmental hygiene, avoid contact with rodents and seek medical attention when ill,” he added.
The State Information Commissioner said the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation announced a five-day STEM week for secondary school students aimed at showcasing educational technology solutions, launching a STEM platform and establishing a Girls in ICT Club across 30 schools.
He also stated that the ministry has deployed a biogas digester pilot at a secondary school in Owerenta to demonstrate the viability of renewable energy from organic waste. Data from the project will inform potential large-scale rollout.
“In line with the Federal Government’s ECON programme, the state has set up a committee to drive innovation commercialisation.
“The committee will identify innovators and start-ups, prepare market-ready research outcomes, strengthen academia-industry-government linkages, promote youth and women participation and develop a state research and innovation policy,” he said.
Kanu also announced that as part of the third anniversary of the Otti-led administration, the governor will commission over 25 projects, including Onu Imo Tower Road, Abiriba–Ohafia Road, Nunya–Isiukwuato Road and Umuahia–Okuta Road, among others.
The commissioner hinted that the State Executive Council has directed political appointees to take ownership of projects in their communities, ensuring minor repairs, sanitation in schools and general cleanliness.
“It is not enough to ask the public to take ownership. Appointees at both state and local government levels are expected to lead by example and fix projects where possible,” he said.
The commissioner said the moves are aimed at improving service delivery and sustaining development across Abia State.