Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has urged pregnant women in Bende Local Government Area to stop patronising unqualified birth attendants and seek medical care at government-approved healthcare facilities.

The governor made the call on Thursday, June 18, 2026, during the commissioning of two upgraded primary healthcare centres at Amaekpu Ato Mkpa and Amaokwe Item communities in Bende LGA.

Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, Governor Otti encouraged residents, especially expectant mothers, to take advantage of the improved services available at the facilities.

He disclosed that nine out of the 16 primary healthcare centres being upgraded across Bende Local Government Area had already been made functional.

The governor explained that the facilities were equipped with essential medical equipment needed for maternal care and other healthcare services, including ultrasound machines, oxygen cylinders, laboratory equipment, blood pressure monitors, and blood sugar testing devices.

He added that qualified nurses and midwives had been deployed to the centres, while adequate bed spaces were provided to accommodate patients.

Otti urged community members to protect the facilities from vandalism and misuse, stressing the importance of sustaining the investments made by his administration in the health sector.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Kalu Ulu Kalu, said the administration was committed to ensuring that all 184 political wards in the state have access to functional primary healthcare centres.

Kalu called on residents to safeguard the facilities, noting that the healthcare reforms introduced by Governor Otti were aimed at reducing preventable deaths, especially among pregnant women and newborn babies.

He encouraged community members to make use of the healthcare centres and take advantage of the improved services provided.

The agency boss also advised residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them participate in future elections and sustain the administration’s programmes.

Earlier, the Mayor of Bende Local Government Area, Deacon Uwabunkeonye Bassey, commended Governor Otti for approving the upgrade of 16 primary healthcare centres in the council area.

Bassey described the approval as the highest allocation of healthcare centre upgrades given to any local government area in the state and assured the governor of continued support from the people of Bende.