Otti Directs Ministry of Health to Initiate Partnership Talks with ANPA

Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has called for a more structured and long-term collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA).

 He also directed the State Ministry of Health to initiate discussions aimed at establishing a formal partnership framework.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State, Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, Governor Otti made this call while flagging off the five-day ANPA Medical Mission. 

The mission is a free medical outreach organised by the Abia State Government in collaboration with ANPA and is being held in Aba and Umuahia.

The Governor expressed appreciation to the association for returning to Abia for its 2026 medical mission, just two years after its previous intervention in the State.

“We want ANPA to be involved across the entire spectrum of our healthcare delivery efforts,from remote consultations and advisory services, through our soon-to-be-launched digital health services portal, to other support systems that will enable the State to benefit extensively from their global exposure and reach,” 

“We are proud to have found reliable development partners in ANPA, who have not only come to ease the burden of severe health challenges among our people but have also provided hands-on training and mentorship for hundreds of healthcare professionals in the State.

“We also appreciate the team of ophthalmologists from our sister State in Nigeria who have joined this mission to address specialised healthcare needs. Thank you for volunteering your much-needed expertise,” Governor Otti added.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to prioritising healthcare, noting that his policies are driven by a desire to enhance the social and economic wellbeing of the people.

 He noted  that infrastructure development must align with the broader goal of improving citizens’ quality of life.

According to him, the overarching objective remains the improvement of the health and wellbeing of Abians, particularly vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, nursing mothers, newborns, and infants.

“We are committed to exploring every opportunity to improve our health indicators, because quality healthcare delivery is central to the wealth, prosperity, and dignity of our people,” 

“Let me also announce that I have directed the Honourable Commissioner for Health and his team to open further negotiations with Dr. Cliff Eke and the leadership of ANPA to develop a structured partnership framework between the State and the association,” he added.

Also speaking, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee and member representing Ikwuano State Constituency, Hon. Boniface Isienyi, expressed satisfaction with the Governor’s performance in the healthcare sector. 

He commended the administration for creating a conducive environment for the programme and thanked ANPA for returning to Abia.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, described the medical mission as a testament to the State Government’s strategic approach to health sector reforms through global partnerships.

He revealed that ongoing healthcare reforms in Abia have resulted in increased hospital patronage and improved health indices, positioning the State as a national leader in healthcare delivery.

Prof. Uche disclosed that the mission targets at least 1,500 medical consultations and over 100 free surgeries, while encouraging residents to take full advantage of the opportunity.

In his speech, the President of ANPA, Dr. Cliff Eke, described the association as part of a broader diaspora-driven health initiative aimed at strengthening healthcare systems across Nigeria. He noted that this is the first time ANPA is conducting back-to-back medical missions in the country, attributing it to Governor Otti’s commitment to healthcare.

He further explained that ANPA’s intervention extends beyond medical services to include capacity building, knowledge exchange, and long-term system strengthening through partnerships and telemedicine.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Chairman of the Medical Mission Committee and Director-General of the Abia State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ABSACA), Dr. Uloaku Ukaegbu, expressed deep appreciation to the Governor for his consistent support in advancing healthcare delivery in the State.

She described the outreach as a significant step toward achieving equitable access to healthcare, noting that over 15,000 residents benefited from similar missions in the past year, with more than 300 surgeries successfully carried out.