NEWS
Abia Seeks Stronger Federal Tertiary Hospitals Partnership, Targets World-Class Healthcare System and Medical City
Abia Seeks Stronger Federal Tertiary Hospitals Partnership, Targets World-Class Healthcare System and Medical City
The Abia State Government has called for deeper and more strategic collaboration with Federal Tertiary Hospitals across Nigeria, stressing that stronger institutional partnerships are critical to advancing healthcare delivery, medical education, research, innovation and specialist services.
The State Government made the call on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia while receiving members of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals across Nigeria, who were in Abia for the Committee’s 115th meeting hosted by the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.
Representing the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, at the occasion, the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, said the decision of the Committee to hold its meeting in Abia demonstrated the growing confidence in the State and the transformation taking place under the present administration, particularly in the healthcare sector.
The Deputy Governor described the new Abia as a State deliberately repositioning itself for investment, partnerships and sustainable development, noting that the administration was working to change longstanding perceptions about the State.
“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.
Engr. Emetu commended the visiting Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors for their leadership and commitment to managing some of Nigeria’s most important healthcare institutions.
He noted that Federal Tertiary Hospitals play a crucial role not only in providing advanced medical services, but also in training doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals while contributing significantly to medical research and innovation.
He explained that healthcare remains a major component of the Otti administration’s social infrastructure agenda, with the State maintaining its commitment to allocating 15 percent of its annual budget to the sector.
According to him, the administration’s healthcare reforms encompass the revitalisation of primary healthcare facilities through Project Ekwueme, recruitment of healthcare professionals, upgrading of specialist and tertiary healthcare institutions, improved working conditions for medical personnel and the deployment of technology and innovation to make healthcare services more accessible and efficient.
The Deputy Governor stressed that the administration’s ambition extends beyond the rehabilitation and expansion of existing facilities, as it seeks to establish Abia as a major healthcare destination capable of attracting patients, medical professionals, investors and research institutions from across 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.
A major focus of the State’s appeal was the proposed Abia Medical City, which the Deputy Governor presented as an ambitious, integrated healthcare ecosystem capable of bringing together tertiary and specialist medical services, medical education, research, advanced diagnostics, pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical technology and other healthcare-related industries.
He urged the visiting medical leaders to bring their expertise, institutional experience and professional networks to bear on the project, stressing that their contribution could significantly accelerate the realisation of the State’s healthcare ambitions.
“We truly believe that the combined expertise in this room can help turn that vision into reality.”
Earlier, the Secretary to the Abia State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, welcomed the delegation and highlighted the administration’s efforts to strengthen the State’s healthcare system and workforce.
Meribole noted that the State Government had embarked on extensive recruitment of healthcare professionals across different levels, including consultants, while simultaneously improving remuneration and working conditions in an effort to attract and retain competent personnel.
He also drew attention to the expanding relationship between the Abia State Government and the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, describing the federal institution as a “sister institution” to the State and stressing the importance of continued cooperation between both sides.
The SSG encouraged the visiting medical directors to use their time in Abia to experience firsthand the infrastructure and development projects being undertaken across the State. He urged them to share their observations and experiences with their respective institutions and state governments after the meeting.
Speaking on behalf of the Committee, its Chairman and Chief Medical Director of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Professor Sa’ad Ahmed, explained that the choice of Abia as the venue for the meeting was deliberate.
He said the Committee was interested in assessing developments at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, while also using the opportunity to strengthen its relationship with the Abia State Government and explore areas of mutual collaboration.
Professor Ahmed expressed appreciation for the cooperation between the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, and the Abia State Government, saying members of the Committee were impressed by the changes they had observed in the State.
“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 Otti administration for its interventions in primary healthcare centres and general hospitals, recruitment of healthcare professionals, expansion of health insurance coverage and efforts to improve emergency medical services.
The Committee Chairman also praised the broader infrastructure transformation taking place across Abia, observing that the improvements visible to visitors entering the State provided evidence of systematic planning and purposeful leadership.
According to him, the physical transformation of the State demonstrated that significant development could be achieved within a relatively short period when government policies are supported by effective planning and implementation.
In his closing remarks, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Professor Azubuike Kanayo Onyebuchi, thanked Governor Otti and the Abia State Government for supporting the hosting of the 115th meeting of the Committee.
Professor Onyebuchi disclosed that the State Government was constructing a 20-room VIP ward at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, describing the project as an important intervention that would contribute to the continued growth and development of the hospital.
He further acknowledged the State Government’s assistance in restoring the hospital’s oxygen-generation capacity following challenges with its oxygen plants. According to him, the intervention demonstrated the importance of the partnership between the State Government and the Federal Medical Centre in strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring continuity of essential medical services.
The occasion brought together senior government officials and healthcare administrators, including 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; and Director-General of Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Abubakar Isah.
Also in attendance were other directors, senior government officials, medical administrators and healthcare professionals from federal tertiary health institutions across the country.
The meeting ultimately provided an important platform for Abia State and the leadership of Nigeria’s Federal Tertiary Hospitals to explore stronger institutional relationships, share experiences and identify opportunities for collaboration that could further strengthen healthcare delivery and accelerate the development of
the State’s emerging medical and healthcare ecosystem.
