Abia State Governor Alex Otti has issued a stern warning to communities against vandalising newly upgraded primary healthcare centres, urging residents to take full ownership and protect the facilities for long-term service delivery.
Otti gave the charge on Thursday during the official functionalisation of the Amaokwe Item and Amaegbuato Nkpa Primary Health Centres in Bende Local Government Area. He was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ogbonnaya Uche. The governor said the facilities, now equipped with modern ultrasound machines, auto analysers, oxygen units, and fully functional laboratory equipment, would provide round-the-clock services with qualified nurses and visiting doctors. He also announced plans for the establishment of a specialist hospital at Umunnato General Hospital to further strengthen secondary healthcare delivery in the state.
Executive Secretary of the Abia Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Kalu Kalu, explained that the reforms are designed to significantly reduce preventable deaths among mothers and newborns. The upgraded centres are expected to offer comprehensive maternal and child health services, including antenatal care, immunisation, and basic emergency obstetric care.
The governor’s warning reflects growing concerns over the sustainability of health infrastructure investments, as vandalism and lack of community ownership have undermined similar projects in the past. This initiative forms part of Governor Otti’s broader efforts to revitalise the health sector and improve access to quality care, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where residents previously relied on poorly equipped facilities or travelled long distances for basic medical attention.
Stakeholders have commended the state government’s focus on primary healthcare as a strategic foundation for reducing maternal and child mortality rates, which remain unacceptably high in many parts of Nigeria. Health experts note that functional primary facilities can prevent up to 70 per cent of preventable deaths if properly maintained and utilised. The governor’s emphasis on community ownership is seen as critical to preventing sabotage and ensuring the facilities serve their intended purpose for years to come.
The development comes amid national conversations on healthcare delivery, especially following recent security challenges affecting access to medical services in some regions. In Abia, the upgrades are expected to ease pressure on general hospitals and contribute to better health indices. Governor Otti’s administration has prioritised health as one of its key pillars, with several projects already commissioned and more in the pipeline.
Residents of Bende and surrounding communities have welcomed the new facilities, describing them as a major relief. However, the governor’s warning serves as a reminder that government investment must be matched with citizen responsibility. As Abia pushes to reposition its health sector, sustained community engagement, regular monitoring, and additional funding will be essential to achieving lasting impact. The successful operationalisation of these centres could serve as a model for other states seeking to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and reduce unnecessary deaths from treatable conditions.
