Abia Records Significant Gains in Primary Healthcare Delivery – Engr. Emetu

ABIA – The Deputy Governor, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu, says the gains recorded in immunization, health facility renovation, increased utilization of healthcare services, and community engagement are encouraging indicators that the collective efforts of stakeholders in the health sector are yielding positive results in the state.

Chief Emetu stated this during the 2026 Second Quarter State Task Force Meeting on Primary Health Care (PHC) held in his office.

He urged members of the task force to remain focused on addressing the challenges facing the healthcare system in the state, noting that the gaps identified in outreach services, staff absenteeism, equipment vandalism, diagnostic turnaround times, and community ownership of health facilities require urgent and sustained attention.

The Deputy Governor emphasized that the responsibility of the State Task Force extends beyond improving statistics to ensuring that every resident of the state has access to quality, affordable, and timely primary healthcare services.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Kalu Ulu Kalu, said that the quarterly meeting provides an opportunity to review the activities of the task force over the past quarter, make recommendations, and proffer solutions to challenges confronting the agency.

Dr. Kalu appealed to the state government to provide adequate logistics for outreach programmes, particularly in rural communities, as well as quality storage facilities for the proper preservation of vaccines.

Also speaking, representatives of development partners, including the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF, and John Snow International (JSI), commended the state government for its commitment to providing quality primary healthcare services. They pledged continued support for healthcare logistics management aimed at improving maternal, newborn and child health, nutrition, family planning, disease prevention, and other critical health interventions.

Among those present at the meeting were the Mayor of Isuikwuato LGA and State ALGON Chairman, Mr. Chinedu Ekeke, represented by his Deputy, Mr. Ifeanyi Njoko, the Acting Director-General of the BCA, Mr. Francis Nwaubani, represented by Mrs. Chinyere Iheanacho Egbulam, traditional and religious leaders and other key stakeholders.