The Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has disclosed that he will soon flag-off the Abia Medical Village to transform Abia into a destination for medical tourism.
Governor Otti made the disclosure on Sunday 21st July, in his Umuehim Nvosi country home, Isiala Ngwa South LGA when he played host to the Extended Hands of Grace and Lifted Hands team from the United States of America (USA), who came to Abia on a medical mission at Umuekwule village, Afugiri in Umuahia North Local Government Area of the State.
Dr. Otti who described healthcare as the most important subsector of the State’s economy said that Abia’s medical village promises to bring in what is obtainable in the medical city in Dubai to Abia.
In his words, “Healthcare for us is the most important subsector of our economy”.
“In the next few weeks, we will at the minimum be flagging-off our medical village. Our medical village promises to bring in what you have in the medical city in Dubai to Abia. We have a team that we have put together that is working on it and majority of them are also in the US”.
“I will like the Special Adviser on Health to also engage with those of you who can help. We will be happy to receive your help. We have a team from Atlanta and other people that are committed to making it happen”.
Speaking further on what the Government intends to achieve with the medical village, Governor Otti said, “What do we intend to achieve? We want in our own little way to reverse medical tourism from India and other parts of the world to Abia”.
“Statistics has it that we spend somewhere between USD2 billion and USD2.5 Billion annually on medical tourism. Because we are modest and not greedy, we are just targeting ten percent (10 %) of that”.
Governor Otti profoundly thanked the Team of Extended Hands of Grace and Lifted Hands for their Medical Mission in the State, saying that it means a whole to him and Abians. He urged the leader of the team to put the State on notice ahead of time when next they are coming, so that the State will give them all the support they need.
Earlier in his speech, the team leader Ambassador Uche Ogbonna thanked Governor Otti for the love he has shown them. He said that they were happy to be in Abia State.
“A few days ago, I was here and you showed us your love for the State which we have seen through your actions. The Americans are very happy to be here because they have seen what you have done”.
“You also let us know that by next year when we come, you are going to assign some hospitals to us where we can do more outreach”.
“We are grateful to be here, thank you so much for what you are doing for our people. We are happy we are here; we’ll let the organisations know of the support that you offered to us towards this outreach”, Amb. Ogbonna stated.
Governor Otti was joined in receiving the team by the Lawmaker representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North & South Federal Constituency – Hon. Obi Aguocha, the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, the Commissioner of Works, Engr. Don Otumchere, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Ngozi Azodo, the Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Strategy Officer to the Government, Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzukwu, a member of the Abia State Diaspora Commission, Rev. Annie Onwuchekwa and others.
Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
21-07-2024.
