LAGOS, Nigeria – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has promised to deepen its partnership with Abia State in healthcare delivery, vaccination against killer diseases, and the fight against gender-based violence.
Speaking at the unveiling of a solar-powered primary health centre in Amuvi, Arochukwu LGA on Friday, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Enugu, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, praised the Alex Otti-led administration for its “conscious investments” in primary healthcare, noting that “Abia, nationally, has been recognized as an outstanding performer for PHC.”
She highlighted UNICEF’s contributions, including the solarisation of 27 PHCs, provision of vaccine storage equipment, installation of incinerators, and training of community health workers.
The Abia First Lady, Mrs Priscilla Otti, described the solarisation project as a step toward improving grassroots healthcare, particularly for women and children.
“Access to reliable electricity in rural health facilities improves healthcare delivery, supports maternity, childbirth, saves lives, and contributes to the overall well-being of the benefiting community,” she said.
She commended benefactors Mr Olajide Shonomi of Rachisols Foundation and Mr Toyo Tudu of Tudu Energy for “a collaboration that is beyond ethnicity,” adding that the initiative would ensure uninterrupted power supply for vital medical services.
Abia’s Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya, lauded the project as part of a bottom-up strategy to address healthcare needs, with 200 PHCs already renovated and equipped across the state.
He noted that the state had paid its counterpart funding for further solarisation in partnership with the European Foundation. “The giant strides in the various sectors of the economy are a strong indication that the Government of Otti came prepared,” the Commissioner said.
