Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has flagged off a five-day Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas medical mission, a free medical outreach organised by the state government in collaboration with ANPA, holding in Aba and Umuahia, the state capital.
Declaring the medical mission open on Tuesday, Otti thanked ANPA for returning to Abia for its 2026 medical mission, just two years after its last outreach in the state.
“We are proud to have found a team of reliable development partners in ANPA, who have not only come to lift the burden of difficult health conditions for several members of our community but also to offer hands-on training and mentorship to hundreds of healthcare professionals working here.
“We also appreciate the team of ophthalmologists from our sister state here in Nigeria who have joined this mission to attend to the critical healthcare needs of our people. Thank you for volunteering your much sought-after expertise,” Otti stated.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to prioritising healthcare, noting that his policies have consistently been driven by the desire to enhance the social and economic well-being of the people.
He emphasised that infrastructure development must align with the broader governance agenda of improving citizens’ welfare.
Otti used the occasion to call for more structured and long-term collaboration with ANPA, directing the State Ministry of Health to initiate discussions toward a formal partnership framework.
“We want ANPA to be involved in the entire spectrum of our healthcare delivery efforts, from remote consultations and advisory services through our soon-to-be-launched digital health services portal, to other support systems that will enable the state to benefit extensively from their global exposure and reach,” he said.
The governor noted that the overarching goal remains improving the health and well-being of Abians, especially vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, nursing mothers, newborns, and infants.
“We are committed to exploring every opportunity to improve our health indices because quality healthcare delivery is central to the wealth and prosperity of our population and the restoration of human dignity,” he added.
He further disclosed that he had directed the Commissioner for Health and his team to open further negotiations with Dr Cliff Eke and ANPA leadership to develop a structured partnership framework between the state and the association.
Also speaking, the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Health, and member representing Ikwuano State Constituency, Boniface Isienyi, said the House was pleased with the governor’s efforts in the healthcare sector.
He commended Otti for providing a conducive environment for the programme and thanked ANPA for returning to Abia.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, described the medical mission as a testament to the state government’s strategic approach to health sector reforms through global partnerships.
He said, “Abia’s healthcare reforms have led to a significant increase in hospital patronage and improved health indices, positioning the state as a national leader in healthcare delivery.
“This medical mission targets at least 1,500 consultations and over 100 free surgeries, while encouraging residents to take full advantage of the opportunity.”
In his speech, the President of ANPA, Dr Cliff Eke, described the initiative as part of a broader diaspora-driven health intervention aimed at strengthening healthcare systems across Nigeria.
He noted that this was the first time ANPA was conducting back-to-back medical missions in the state, attributing it to the governor’s commitment to healthcare.
Eke added that ANPA’s intervention goes beyond medical services to include capacity building, knowledge exchange, and long-term system strengthening through partnerships and telemedicine.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairman of the Medical Mission Committee and Director-General of the Abia State Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Uloaku Ukaegbu, expressed appreciation to the governor for his consistent support for healthcare development.
She described the outreach as a major step toward achieving equitable access to healthcare, noting that over 15,000 residents benefited from similar missions in the past year, with more than 300 surgeries successfully conducted.
She further highlighted additional components of the mission, including a youth-focused sexual and reproductive health programme scheduled to be held at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Quantus Medical Foundation, Dr Nnenna Ihekorommadu, highlighted the forthcoming Abia Healthcare Rebirth Initiative, aimed at promoting compassionate care, accountability, and excellence in healthcare delivery across the state.
She noted that the initiative would complement ongoing efforts by strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers through training and value reorientation.
The flag-off event was attended by stakeholders in the healthcare sector, including senior appointees of the state.
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