Gov. Alex Otti of Abia, on Thursday, commissioned the construction of a 100-bed capacity Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre at Umunnato in Bende Local Government Area (LGA).
Speaking at the ceremony, Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare across the state.
The facility is expected to include theatres, accident and emergency units, general out-patient departments, maternity wards, dental units, radiology departments and a 100-bed ward.
The governor directed the contractor to complete the project within one year and assured residents that the facility would be delivered within record time, in line with his administration’s policy of prompt project execution.
According to him, the project site originally had a hospital established in 1962 , but became abandoned, allowing deterioration to set in.
He said that the decision to demolish and rebuild the old hospital became necessary after experts advised that rehabilitating the dilapidated structures would not meet the required standards.
Otti explained that the government initially considered renovating the former structure but later discovered that rebuilding the facility would be more cost-effective and efficient.
He expressed optimism that the project would be inaugurated during the activities marking his administration’s fourth anniversary in 2027.
The governor also constituted a four-man supervisory committee to ensure compliance with specifications and timelines.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, said that the project was in line with the governor’s resolve to establish tertiary healthcare facilities across the three senatorial districts of the state.
Uche said that the Abia State University Teaching Hospital would serve Abia South Senatorial District, while the Amachara Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre would cater for Abia Central.
He also said that the Umunnato Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre would serve Abia North as a referral centre for specialized medical care.
He disclosed that consultants working toward securing Joint Commission International certification for the hospital had already commenced work on the project.
Uche also said that the proposed facility would be built as a world-class tertiary hospital, equipped with modern medical facilities that would meet global standards.
Meanwhile, the governor also inaugurated the Umuisi Primary Healthcare Centre and the Okafia Primary Healthcare Centre in Igbere, both in the LGA.
NAN reports that Otti also inaugurated the 22.5-kilometer rehabilitated Umuahia -Uzuakoli-Abiriba-Ohafia Road section 3, named after an elder statesman, Late Chief Otusi Kalu, 7-km Abiriba Ring Road, the 2.35-km Obilohia-Amune-Ovim Umuakwu Road, Nunya-Eluama Road, Isuikwuato LGA, and Chris Uche Road, Igbere.
He also inaugurated the internal roads at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Umunna, the Eluama Road in Uzuakoli and Chris Uche Road in Igbere, all in Bende LGA. (NAN)
