Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has expressed concern over the continued reliance of some pregnant women on traditional birth attendants for childbirth, warning that such practices have led to preventable deaths due to complications. The Governor made the remarks during the operationalization of the retrofitted Ohiya Primary Health Centre in Umuahia South Local Government Area.
Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Oggbonnaya Uche, Governor Otti emphasized his administration’s commitment to maternal and child health, highlighting the retrofitting of 200 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across all wards in Abia State. “We are intentional about the lives of mothers and children,” he said, noting that the government aims to ensure safer deliveries through modern healthcare facilities.
Otti announced plans to take decisive action against operators of traditional birth centers to protect expectant mothers, urging community leaders to take ownership of the newly upgraded facilities. He also revealed that the state government will construct staff quarters for health workers to enhance service delivery and encouraged residents to fully utilize the Ohiya Primary Health Centre.
The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including an automatic external defibrillator, radiant warmer, vital signs monitor for pregnant women, ultrasound, parameter machine, weighing scale, general laboratory, and auto analyzer, among others.
The Mayor of Umuahia South LGA, Chinedu Enwereuzo, commended the Governor for the initiative and called on the traditional ruler of Ohiya to ensure the protection of the equipment from vandals.
The Governor’s remarks underscore ongoing efforts to improve healthcare access and reduce maternal mortality in Abia State, with a focus on modernizing facilities and discouraging unsafe traditional practices.
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