The Abia State Government has commenced a professional training programme for health workers who will work with teams from the Abia State Diaspora Commission, as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and save lives across the state.
Speaking at the training venue in Umuahia, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enock Uche, said the initiative was designed to ensure that Abians are well protected and healthy, stressing that Governor Alex Otti is determined to improve health outcomes, particularly at the grassroots.
Professor Uche noted that the governor has taken it upon himself to chart a new course for the health sector by insisting on better capacity building for human resources in health, so that healthcare workers are adequately equipped to care for patients wherever they are deployed.
He charged participants to take the training seriously, describing them as the first batch who would be expected to cascade the knowledge and skills to others in their various places of work. According to him, the training will be complemented with certification and the provision of modern tools at primary healthcare centres and general hospitals to ensure that what is learnt can be effectively practiced.
The commissioner emphasised that the programme focuses on life-preserving skills capable of making the difference between life and death, recounting a personal experience where the absence of basic emergency facilities and skills at rural health centres led to the loss of a prominent microbiologist who collapsed during a burial ceremony.
He explained that despite efforts to revive the victim through CPR and rushing him to different health facilities, there were no functional emergency tools until they eventually reached the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, where the man later died. Professor Uche said such avoidable deaths informed the resolve of the Abia State Government to ensure that no one dies due to lack of basic emergency care, especially in rural areas.
According to him, beyond equipment, training, human resources and proper organisation are critical, adding that the state sought external support to achieve these goals, which culminated in the present collaboration. He urged participants to consider themselves fortunate, noting that the skills being taught are essential for every adult and healthcare professional.
On his part, the Chairman of the Abia State Diaspora Commission, Okechukwu Agbara, said the health sector in Abia has witnessed remarkable improvements since Professor Uche assumed office as commissioner. He commended the commissioner’s commitment to ensuring a healthy population, noting that “a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.”
Agbara disclosed that the partnership with the Diaspora Commission was aimed at bringing global best practices in healthcare down to Abia State. He described the training as timely and crucial, citing instances where security personnel collapsed during the inauguration of Governor Alex Otti in May 2023, highlighting the importance of CPR and emergency response skills.
He explained that in the United States, CPR certification is mandatory for healthcare professionals, and failure to possess it could result in loss of employment. He urged participants to pay close attention to the training, stressing that they would be responsible for training others and must therefore master the techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including chest compression and resuscitation procedures.
Contributing, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Training Lead, Dr. Odinaka Anyanwu (USA), and Dr. Nnenna Ihekoromadu, Founder of Quantus Medical Foundation, Texas, USA, also took turns to train and guide participants on practical life-saving techniques, reinforcing the goal of building a healthier Abia State.
