NEWS
RARE MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH IN ABIA AS RETROFITTED OHIYA PHC DEFIES ODDS WITH SUCCESSFUL EMERGENCY CAESAREAN ON ECLAMPTIC TWIN PREGNANCY, AS GOV. ALEX OTTI’S HEALTH REFORMS RECORD HISTORIC MILESTONE
The Abia State Government has confirmed a rare medical feat at the retrofitted Ohiya Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Umuahia South Local Government Area of the State, where a woman suffering from severe pregnancy complications (eclampsia) in a twin pregnancy was successfully delivered of her babies through an emergency caesarean section.
The patient, 24-year-old Mrs Chikamso Ibekwe, on Monday, 23rd March 2026, delivered twin boys weighing 3.2 kilogrammes each, in a successful procedure, marking what health authorities have described as an unprecedented achievement at the primary healthcare level in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Uche, who disclosed this on Thursday during an inspection visit to the PHC facility, described the development as a clear validation of Governor Alex Otti’s ongoing healthcare reforms under Project Ekwueme initiative.
Prof Uche noted that the availability of modern equipment, essential drugs, oxygen supply, and skilled medical personnel made it possible to manage the life-threatening condition at a Primary Healthcare level, an achievement he said was previously unattainable.
The Commissioner further explained that eclampsia remains one of the leading causes of maternal and infant mortality, emphasizing that the patient’s condition could have resulted in multiple fatalities if not promptly and professionally handled by the medical team at the facility.
“On Monday 23rd March after Exco, the Ministry received a very, very heartwarming report that in one of the rural or semi-urban PHCs, a medical feat, so to say, occurred where a woman with a life-threatening obstetric emergency, described as eclampsia was successfully managed by emergency caesarean delivery.
“We want to make it clear that this is not just a hearsay. This is a confirmed medical occurrence.
“This can only be possible because there were facilities in this retrofitted PHC that could support emergency care and of course, the fact that we have competent nurses and a competent doctor who was on ground to handle this situation.
“This is actually a proof that the PHCs are yielding the desired dividend. If there is anybody in doubt, that the healthcare reforms of his Excellency, Gov Alex Otti are bearing fruits, this is one incontrovertible evidence.
“Because it has never been recorded in the history of this State, maybe in the history of healthcare that caesarean deliveries have become routine or easily performed for such big emergencies in a PHC. And it’s because there are facilities here,” Prof. Uche said.
Prof Uche further revealed that the State Government is set to introduce roving medical teams designed to respond swiftly to emergencies across communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
According to him, the initiative will significantly strengthen emergency healthcare delivery, save lives, and reduce maternal mortality, especially in time-sensitive situations where delays could prove fatal.
Also speaking, the doctor who carried out the life-saving procedure, Dr Joseph Ngene, recounted that the patient was brought in under critical conditions, presenting with extremely high blood pressure and seizures.
He explained that his medical team acted promptly by stabilizing the patient, controlling the seizures, and proceeding with an emergency caesarean section, which resulted in the safe delivery of the twins.
Dr Ngene added that the procedure was smooth and successful, with both the mother and her newborns responding positively to post-operative care.
Earlier, the Health Authority Secretary of Umuahia South LGA, Mrs Eucharia Igwe, attributed the success story to the recent upgrade of the healthcare facility through the State Government’s intervention.
She noted that the PHC is now fully equipped with trained personnel and functional units capable of handling complex medical emergencies, assuring residents of sustained quality healthcare service delivery.
Reacting to the development, the Deputy Traditional Prime Minister of Ohiya Autonomous Community, Chief Ubadire Agoha, commended the Otti-led administration for its transformative strides in the health sector, noting that the impact is already being felt at the grassroots.
“For us, we appreciate the Governor. This project has started yielding dividends. We pray that it should even yield more,” he said.
Agoha further expressed confidence that the improved healthcare facility would attract more residents from surrounding communities seeking reliable and quality medical care.
In an emotional response, the husband of the patient, Mr Ibekwe Patrick Ibekwe, expressed profound gratitude to the State Government, describing the intervention as life-saving.
“I’m so, so happy. And I thank God. If not for our governor, what would have happened?,” he said.
Mr Ibekwe, a mechanic who also received financial support from the State Government, offered prayers for continued blessings upon the state leadership, acknowledging the administration of Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to improving healthcare outco
mes and saving lives across Abia State.