Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has commissioned the newly remodelled and digitally equipped 80-bed Obingwa General Hospital in Mgboko, headquarters of Obingwa Local Government Area, as part of his administration’s efforts to modernise healthcare delivery across the state.

The governor also renamed the facility after the late human rights activist, Chima Ubani, describing the honour as a tribute to his courage, compassion and commitment to justice, democracy and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

Speaking during the commissioning on Tuesday, Otti said healthcare remained a major component of his administration’s development agenda, particularly in expanding access to quality medical services and reducing avoidable deaths among mothers and newborns.

He said the hospital would serve hundreds of thousands of residents in Obingwa and neighbouring communities, including people from Aba, Osisioma and other adjoining areas.

Otti expressed satisfaction with the facility’s modern features, which include a healing garden, digital data management systems, real-time inter-facility collaboration, technology-assisted laboratory and scan analysis, a well-equipped theatre and eye-care units, observation rooms and a renewable energy system designed to support continuous power supply.

“We have reached a new milestone in the effort to modernise our health institutions to reflect the spirit of this age,” the governor said.

“This facility should remain open every night and day. It operates for 24 hours a day, Saturdays and Sundays inclusive.

“Whoever comes here for medical reasons must receive the attention and support they need, whatever their social or economic conditions.”

Hospital renamed after Chima Ubani

Explaining the decision to rename the hospital after Ubani, Otti recalled the late activist’s contributions to Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle and his service as Students’ Union President at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Executive Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation.

The governor described Ubani as “a mentor of the masses” who died pursuing the ideals he stood for.

Otti said the honour was intended to preserve the activist’s legacy while inspiring younger generations to embrace courage, service and integrity.

He also assured that his administration would continue supporting Ubani’s family and working with medical professionals and other stakeholders to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.

The governor said community leaders had been incorporated into efforts to protect the facility and warned against vandalism.

301 health projects underway

The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, described the hospital as evidence of the administration’s efforts to establish a future-ready healthcare system in Abia.

Uche disclosed that the Otti administration had embarked on 301 infrastructural projects in the health sector within its first three years, including the construction and equipping of 277 primary healthcare centres to the standard set by the government.

He explained that the Obingwa hospital was designed as a digital facility that would enable women in labour at various primary healthcare centres to receive additional medical support through links with the hospital.

“Obingwa has received more than a fair share of these projects, including 18 primary health centres, 13 of them under Project Ekwueme and five under Impact project,” Uche said.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Abia State Hospitals Management Board, Dr Odochi Azubuike, recalled that the hospital was built under the Local Government SURE-P programme in partnership with the Abia State Government and commissioned in 2015.

She said the Otti administration inherited the facility in a dilapidated state, without admissions, drugs or basic medical equipment.

According to her, the hospital has now been transformed into a functional healthcare facility.

Azubuike commended Otti for his attention to the welfare of Hospitals Management Board staff and urged residents of Obingwa to take ownership of the facility and protect it.

Stakeholders commend project

The Chairman of Save A Life Group, Dr Richard Okoye, said his organisation was partnering with the state because of what he described as Otti’s visionary leadership.

Okoye expressed optimism that Abia could record the highest life expectancy in West Africa, citing the governor’s investment in the health sector.

A retired Professor of Paediatrics, Prof. Kanu Nkaginieme, also commended the administration’s efforts to transform healthcare infrastructure and urged community leaders to take responsibility for protecting health facilities.

The commissioning was attended by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Meribeole; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, PhD; and other senior government officials.

Also present were the Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Labour Party officials, the Mayor of Obingwa LGA, Maxwell Nwadike, community leaders and other stakeholders.