Otti flags-off Abia ANPA medical mission, seeks more collaboration with group

Alex Otti, governor of Abia State, has flagged off a 5-day Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) Medical Mission, a free medical outreach organised by Abia State Government in collaboration with ANPA, holding in Aba and Umuahia.

While declaring the medical mission open, Governor Alex Otti thanked the association for returning to Abia for its 2026 medical mission just two years after their mission 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 limitations for several members of our community, but to offer hands-on training and mentorship for hundreds of healthcare professionals working here.

“The body of ophthalmologists from our sister state here in Nigeria, who have also joined this mission to attend to the higher healthcare needs of our people. Thank you for volunteering to support our state with your much sought-after expertise,” Otti stated.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to prioritising healthcare, saying that his policies have always been driven by the hunger to enhance the social and economic experiences of the people,
He emphasised that infrastructure development must align with the broader governance agenda of improving citizens’ wellbeing.

Governor Otti used the occasion to call for a 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 consultation and advisory, through our soon-to-be-launched digital health services portal, to other systems of support that will see the State benefit extensively from their global exposure and reach,” Otti said.

The governor noted that the overarching goal remains improving the health and wellbeing of Abians, especially, vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, nursing mothers, newborns, and infants.

“We are committed to exploring every opportunity that presents itself to us to improve our health indicators, because quality healthcare delivery is central to the wealth and prosperity of our population and the restoration of human dignity,” Otti said.

“May I announce to us that I have since directed the Honourable Commissioner for Health and his team to open further negotiations with Cliff Eke and the decision makers at ANPA to work out a structured partnership framework between the state and ANPA.

Boniface Isienyi, deputy, House Committee chairman and member representing Ikwuano State Constituency, in his speech said that the House is happy with what the governor is doing in the healthcare sector of the state.

He commended the governor for providing conducive environment for the programme to hold in the state and thanked ANPA for coming to Abia again.

Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, commissioner for Health, in his remarks described the medical mission as a testament to the state government’s strategic approach to health sector reforms through global partnerships.

He revealed that 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.

Uche stated that the mission targets at least 1,500 medical consultations and over 100 free surgeries, while encouraging residents to take full advantage of the opportunity.

Cliff Eke, president of ANPA, described the group as part of a broader national diaspora health impact initiative, aimed at strengthening healthcare systems across Nigeria.

He noted that this is the first time ANPA is carrying out medical mission back to back and attributed it to the commitment of Governor Otti to healthcare.

He noted that ANPA’s intervention goes beyond medical services to include capacity building, knowledge exchange, and long-term system strengthening partnerships and telemedicine.

Uloaku Ukaegbu, chairman of the Medical Mission Committee and director general of the Abia State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ABSACA), earlier in her address expressed deep appreciation to the governor for his consistent support in advancing healthcare delivery in the state.

Ukaegbu described the outreach as a major step toward achieving equitable access to healthcare, noting that over 15,000 residents benefitted 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 hold at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic.

Nnenna Ihekoromadu, chief executive officer of Quantus Medical Foundation, in her contribution, 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 witnessed by stakeholders in the healthcare sector among senior appointees of the state.