Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has officially launched the 2026 edition of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) Medical Mission, a five-day free healthcare outreach taking place across Aba and Umuahia.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Governor Otti expressed appreciation to Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas for returning to the state just two years after its last intervention. He described the organization as a dependable development partner committed to improving healthcare access and outcomes for residents.
The Governor highlighted that beyond providing free medical services, ANPA’s involvement also includes hands-on training and mentorship for local healthcare professionals. He further acknowledged the contribution of volunteer ophthalmologists who joined the mission to address specialized health needs.
Reaffirming his administration’s focus on healthcare, Otti noted that improving citizens’ wellbeing remains central to his governance agenda. He stressed that infrastructure development must align with policies aimed at enhancing both social and economic conditions.
Governor Otti also called for a more structured and long-term partnership with ANPA. He directed the State Ministry of Health to begin formal discussions that would integrate ANPA into broader healthcare delivery systems, including the state’s upcoming digital health services platform.
According to him, the goal is to leverage ANPA’s global expertise in areas such as telemedicine, advisory support, and capacity building to strengthen Abia’s healthcare system. He emphasized that vulnerable groups including pregnant women, nursing mothers, newborns, and children remain a top priority.
In his remarks, the President of ANPA, Cliff Eke, described the mission as part of a larger diaspora-driven initiative to support healthcare development in Nigeria. He noted that this marks the first time ANPA is conducting consecutive missions in the same state, attributing it to the commitment of the Abia government to healthcare reform.
The Commissioner for Health, Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, stated that the outreach reflects the state’s strategic approach to strengthening healthcare through international collaboration. He revealed that the programme aims to deliver at least 1,500 consultations and over 100 free surgeries, urging residents to take advantage of the opportunity.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Medical Mission Committee, Uloaku Ukaegbu, commended the government’s consistent support for healthcare initiatives. She noted that similar missions in the past year benefited over 15,000 residents and recorded more than 300 successful surgeries.
She also announced additional components of the programme, including a youth-focused sexual and reproductive health campaign scheduled to hold at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic.
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Also contributing, the CEO of Quantus Medical Foundation, Nnenna Ihekorommadu, introduced the upcoming Abia Healthcare Rebirth Initiative, which aims to promote compassionate care, accountability, and excellence within the state’s health sector.
The event drew key stakeholders and government officials, further underscoring the importance of collaboration in transforming healthcare delivery in Abia State.
