Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has appealed to communities across the state to take responsibility for protecting newly upgraded primary healthcare centres, warning against acts of vandalism that could undermine healthcare delivery.

The governor made the call on Thursday during the official functionalisation of the Amaokwe Item and Amaegbuato Nkpa Primary Health Centres in Bende Local Government Area.

Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ogbonnaya Uche, Otti said the facilities are part of the state government's ongoing healthcare reforms, which have already resulted in the operationalisation of about nine primary healthcare centres within the area.

He urged community members to regard the facilities as their own and ensure they are properly maintained for the benefit of present and future generations.

“Government has provided these facilities; it is now the responsibility of the communities to protect and sustain them because vandalism or misuse will not be tolerated,” he said.

The governor explained that the upgraded health centres have been equipped with modern medical facilities, including ultrasound machines, auto analysers, oxygen units, and laboratory equipment, to enhance the quality of healthcare services available to residents.

He further disclosed that qualified nurses had been deployed to the centres to provide 24-hour healthcare services, while visiting doctors would offer specialised medical attention whenever necessary.

Otti also revealed that the state government is constructing a specialist hospital at Umunnato General Hospital as part of broader efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the area.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved communities across the state.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Abia Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Kalu Kalu, said the healthcare reforms were designed to reduce preventable deaths among mothers and newborns.

According to him, the government is working towards ensuring that every ward in Abia State has a functional, well-equipped primary healthcare centre staffed with adequate personnel.

The Chairman of Bende Local Government Area, Mr Uwabunkeonye Bassey, commended the state government for what he described as unprecedented investment in the health sector.

He disclosed that approval had been granted for the upgrade of 16 primary healthcare centres across the local government area to improve access to quality medical services.

In separate remarks, the President-General of the Amaokwe Item Welfare Union, Mr Harrison Okorie, and the Women’s Wing President, Mrs Mercy Kesandu-Uko, expressed gratitude to the state government for the intervention.

They noted that the improvements in the healthcare sector would enhance access to quality medical services and contribute to better health outcomes and increased life expectancy, especially among rural populations.