Photo: Abia State Gov. Dr Alex Otti
By: Daniel Kanu
The Abia State Government has announced the successful conclusion of its statewide Measles and Rubella vaccination campaign, revealing that it surpassed its 95 per cent coverage target by achieving 96 per cent.
The immunisation exercise, which ran from February 3 to February 23, 2026, was conducted across all 17 local government areas of the state, covering public and private schools, primary healthcare centres, markets, churches, and other social institutions.
Addressing journalists in Umuahia, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, commended health workers and volunteers for their dedication, noting that over 8,000 vaccination teams and support groups were mobilised to ensure the success of the campaign.
He disclosed that while preliminary data indicate 96 per cent coverage, the government is still collating detailed figures from across the state to establish the final tally of children vaccinated.
Measles and rubella are known to be highly contagious viral diseases that predominantly affect children and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, blindness, brain damage, and in severe cases, death.
Health experts say high immunisation coverage—at least 95 per cent—is critical to achieving herd immunity and preventing outbreaks.
Nigeria has continued to battle periodic measles outbreaks, making sustained vaccination campaigns a public health priority.
Kanu further revealed that the administration of Governor Alex Otti has approved a strategic partnership between the State Ministry of Health and the Qantus Medical Foundation, a United States-based healthcare consultancy organisation.
According to him, the collaboration is aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery in the state through structured training and capacity building for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other categories of health workers.
“The Governor has approved this collaboration to ensure a healthcare culture change in the state. It is designed to help our health workers embrace global best practices in service delivery,” Kanu said.
The Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, explained that the initiative would adopt a phased, top-down approach, beginning with doctors and nurses before cascading to health personnel at the local government and primary healthcare levels.
He said the foundation specialises in health systems strengthening, focusing on improving communication, patient care standards, and institutional culture within hospitals and clinics.
The Information Commissioner also disclosed that 53 fully equipped Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) under the state’s “Project Ekwueme” are set to become fully operational.
He said the move is part of efforts to revitalise primary healthcare and expand access to quality medical services in rural and urban communities.
He added that the Abia State Q2 Health Pilot Project has already commenced operations in selected hospitals and PHCs, targeting improved service delivery, efficiency, and patient satisfaction.
In further recognition of the state’s health sector reforms, Kanu announced that the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) has scheduled its 2027 Annual General Meeting to hold in Abia State, citing the ongoing transformation in the sector.
Beyond healthcare, the state government highlighted key infrastructure projects slated for commissioning. Governor Otti is expected to commission the Ovom Road project in Aba and perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of the Enyimba International Hotel.
Kanu described the Ovom Road project as a significant engineering achievement, explaining that the site had to be reclaimed from severe erosion before construction commenced.
“These projects represent major milestones in the urban renewal and infrastructural repositioning of Aba as the commercial nerve centre of the state,” he said.
Additionally, the governor is scheduled to flag off the construction of the Ukwa East General Hospital at Ohanku Community, a project aimed at improving healthcare access in underserved areas.
The Health Commissioner urged parents and guardians to ensure that their children receive all recommended vaccines, assuring that vaccines administered in the state are stored and handled in line with global safety standards.
Also present at the briefing were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha.
