…………….Vows To Join NAFDAC To Stop Fake Drugs, Products.
FIC Report (Abia State) – The Governor, Dr Alex Otti, says he is set to award contracts for retrofitting of 22 Secondary Healthcare Centres across the 17 LGAs of the state.
Governor Otti who stated this while speaking at the first edition of the Governor’s media engagement for the year 2025 tagged; “Governor Otti Speaks to Abians” disclosed that over Sixteen Billion Naira has been provided for the retrofitting of Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare Institutions across the State for optimal Healthcare service delivery.
“We are at the final stages of awarding contracts for the renovation and retrofitting of the 22 Secondary Healthcare Centres, General Hospitals.
“There are some that are in a very terrible state of disrepair; Umunneato, Okeikpe, Obingwa, Okpualangwa, Arochukwu, and a few others. I think about four of them , Okeikpe, Obingwa Ohafia, and one other is already in for procurement.
“So, in the next one week, I am sure we will award this contract because we believe that Health is Wealth,” Gov. Otti assured.
Governor Otti emphasized his administration’s belief that “Health is Wealth,” assuring that contracts for the remaining facilities will be awarded soon.
The Governor disclosed that the N16.6 Billion earmarked in the 2025 budget is aimed at upgrading schools of Midwifery, Nursing, and other Healthcare training institutions across the State to address the shortage of trained medical professionals and ensure a Healthcare system that is both accessible and efficient for all residents.
“We will continue to commit resources to the healthcare sector. We have about N16. 6 billion provided for in the current year budget to bring the institutions up to standard.
“We want to complete that this year so that we will be able to train our nurses and healthcare professionals. It is a major area of need and a major challenge we must tackle,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti noted that his interest and commitment in providing quality, affordable and quality Healthcare services to the people led to the flag-off of the upgrade and retrofitting of 200 Primary Healthcare Centres across the 184 wards in the State, adding that five out of the primary Healthcare Centres within Abia Central have been completed and awaiting commissioning.
“I’m glad to report that we have continued to make progress. We are not where we want to be
“We have continued to make an impact in the healthcare sector. Barely two weeks ago, we flagged off ‘Project Ekwueme’, 200 Primary Healthcare Centres renovation, retrofitting, and rebuilding as the case may be.
“Interestingly, even before we flagged off, some of the Healthcare Centres had already started receiving attention.
“Five Primary Healthcare Centres are ready for commissioning. So, I’m glad we have five in Abia Central ready for commissioning,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Alex Otti, while reacting to questions, announced that he would continue from where NAFDAC stopped in riding Aba markets of fake products.
Governor Otti described the manufacturing of fake products in the state as an embarrassment and encouraged local manufacturers involved in such practices to desist and rather develop their own brands. He expressed the willingness of the State Government to support local manufacturers who are willing to follow due process in plying their trade.
“So, I do not have a problem with you making your own product, but I have a problem with you faking the product of somebody else and trying to pass it as the original version.
“So, we are going to come down very hard on manufacturers of fake products, because they are giving us a bad name and that is not good. Our people are industrious and making a lot of things in Aba.
“I have directed my people in government to ensure that we continue from where NAFDAC stopped.
“So, we encourage them to make their products and call it their names instead of faking other people’s products or we will raid and stop them in their tracks,” Gov. Otti said.
He urged individuals interested in the business of manufacturing any product to go through the process of getting a National Agency for Food Drug Administration Control Registration. He also urged them to take ownership of their products and learn from countries like China and Japan that started by selling their locally manufactured products at cheap prices until they gained acceptance globally.
Signed
Abiakam Gloria Ify
HOC, FIC Umuahia Abia state.
