Abia sets up biomedical units to prevent hospital equipment failure

Plans 25 projects for third anniversary

The Abia State Government has established biomedical units across state-owned health facilities, as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, reduce equipment failure and improve maintenance of medical infrastructure.

Okey Kanu, Commissioner for Information, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said that the newly established units, would be responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of medical equipment across hospitals in the state to ensure improved service delivery and minimise operational disruptions.

The Commissioner explained that the initiative is being supported,, through a practical training programme for biomedical engineers and Ministry of Health personnel in collaboration with engineers from MedStar USA and CPR USA currently in the state.

According to him, the training programme, which was inaugurated on May12, 2026, by Governor Otti, represented by Emmanuel Meribole, secretary to the State Government, will continue until May 22.

He explained that the initiative forms part of the healthcare reforms being implemented by the Governor Otti-led administration.

Kanu also disclosed that the state government plans to distribute three million insecticide-treated mosquito nets in September, as part of its malaria control strategy, noting that prevalence in the state had declined from 16.5% in 2024 to 11.5% in 2025.

The Commissioner further disclosed that some health facilities across the state have been completed and would be commissioned during the state’s third anniversary celebration later this month.

“Governor Otti will commission Phase One of Obingwa General Hospital and Arochukwu General Hospital. In addition, 15 primary health centres and 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 set for inclusion in this phase”, Kanu disclosed.

He further announced that Governor Otti, would commission 25 projects, as part of activities marking the administration’s third anniversary.

Some of the projects to be commissioned are the Onu Imo Tower Road, Abiriba–Ohafia Road, Nunya–Isuikwuato Road and Ahieke-Umuafai road in Umuahia, among others.

Kanu also disclosed that the State Executive Council has directed political appointees to take greater responsibility for projects within their communities, by supporting minor repairs, improving sanitation in schools and ensuring environmental cleanliness.

“It’s 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”, the Commissioner said.

He added that the measures were designed to strengthen service delivery and sustain development efforts across the state.

On public health concerns, Kanu said that the state government is closely monitoring global health alerts, following advisories issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) regarding Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

He, however, reassured residents that there were currently no confirmed cases of Ebola, COVID-19, Lassa fever, Mpox, diphtheria, yellow fever, cholera or rabies in Abia State.

He however urged residents to maintain personal and environmental hygiene, avoid contact with rodents and seek medical attention when ill”, he added.