Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has functionalised the Okpuhu Nkpa and Umuenyere Alayi Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Bende LGA, bringing to a total of 42 PHCs so far functionalised under his Project Ekwueme.

The governor also disclosed that his administration is planning to arrest traditional birth attendants and those who patronise them.

Speaking at the event, Governor Otti said the programme marked the end of over 24 years of total neglect of the health and welfare of the people, with the renovation and construction of healthcare infrastructure across the state.

Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Oggbonnaya Uche, he listed some of the features in the Primary Health Centres as multiple multi-parameter monitors, automatic external defibrillators, incubators, oxygen cylinders and oxygen delivery devices, among others.

Otti also announced that his administration has approved the establishment of an Isolation Centre at the popular Uzuakoli Leprosy Centre to manage isolation cases.

He said that Nigeria contributes 29 per cent of maternal mortality in the world and urged the people to patronise the PHCs rather than quacks or traditional birth attendants.

“One of the major causes of maternal mortality is delivery by unskilled workers. And that includes traditional birth attendants who have not been trained and certified to provide that level of healthcare service,” said Otti.

Also speaking, an indigene of Alayi and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, assured that the people would not allow the facility to be vandalised.