Abia State Establishes Biomedical Unit to Strengthen Healthcare Infrastructure
The Abia State Ministry of Health has set up a dedicated biomedical unit responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment in state-run hospitals to prevent frequent breakdowns and improve service delivery.
Prince Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.
According to the commissioner, the new unit is supported by a practical hands-on training programme for biomedical engineers and ministry staff. The training, being conducted in partnership with MedStar USA and CPR USA engineers currently in the state, was flagged off on May 12, 2026, by Governor Otti, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole. It is scheduled to run until May 22, 2026.
Prince Kanu described the initiative as part of the state government’s broader efforts to enhance healthcare delivery.
In a related development, the state plans to distribute three million insecticide-treated mosquito nets in September 2026 as part of its malaria control programme. The effort has already recorded success, with malaria prevalence dropping from 16.5 per cent in 2024 to 11.5 per cent in 2025.
The commissioner further revealed that several health facilities are set for completion and commissioning during the state’s third anniversary celebrations later this month. Governor Otti will commission Phase 1 of the Obingwa General Hospital and the Arochukwu General Hospital. Additionally, 15 primary health centres (PHCs) currently being equipped will be functionalised and commissioned. The state has also begun onboarding more PHCs onto the Digital Health Project, with four facilities slated for inclusion in the current phase.
On public health safety, Kanu said Abia is closely monitoring global alerts following advisories by the World Health Organization and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. He stressed that there are currently no confirmed cases of Ebola, COVID-19, Lassa fever, Mpox, diphtheria, yellow fever, cholera, or rabies in the state.
“Residents are urged to maintain personal and environmental hygiene, avoid contact with rodents, and seek medical attention promptly when ill,” he added.
In the education and technology sectors, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has announced a five-day STEM week for secondary school students. The programme aims to showcase educational technology solutions, launch a STEM platform, and establish a Girls in ICT Club across 30 schools.
The ministry has also deployed a biogas digester pilot project at a secondary school in Owerenta to demonstrate the potential of renewable energy from organic waste. Data generated from the pilot will guide possible large-scale implementation.
Furthermore, in alignment with the Federal Government’s ECON programme, the state has constituted a committee to drive innovation commercialisation. The committee will identify innovators and start-ups, prepare market-ready research outcomes, strengthen academia-industry-government linkages, promote youth and women participation, and develop a state research and innovation policy.
As part of activities marking the third anniversary of the Otti administration, the governor will commission over 25 projects, including the Onu Imo Tower Road, Abiriba–Ohafia Road, Nunya–Isiukwuato Road, and Umuahia–Okuta Road, among others.
The State Executive Council has also directed political appointees to take ownership of projects in their communities by ensuring minor repairs, maintaining sanitation in schools, and promoting general cleanliness.
“It is not enough to ask the public to take ownership. Appointees at both state and local government levels are expected to lead by example and fix projects where possible,” Kanu said.
The various initiatives, according to the commissioner, are geared towards improving service delivery and sustaining development across Abia State.
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