NEWS
WORLD BANK ENDORSES ABIA HEALTH REFORMS AS GOVERNMENT MAINTAINS 15% BUDGETARY COMMITMENT, RECORDS ZERO OUTBREAK OF MAJOR DISEASES
The ongoing transformation of the health sector in Abia State has received a major international endorsement, following a high-level assessment by a delegation from the World Bank, further reinforcing confidence in the state’s reform-driven agenda.
This significant development was made known by the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Kanu, who addressed journalists on Monday at Government House, Umuahia, while briefing on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
According to the Commissioner, the recent visit by the World Bank team was aimed at reviewing the public finance management system of the state, particularly as it relates to the health sector. The assessment, he noted, forms part of broader efforts to evaluate transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in the deployment of resources toward healthcare delivery.
Prince Kanu disclosed that the visiting team expressed strong satisfaction with the reforms undertaken by the current administration, especially commending Governor Alex Otti for his focused and unwavering commitment to repositioning the health sector. The team highlighted the administration’s consistency in prioritizing healthcare, noting that since assuming office in 2023, the government has maintained a policy of allocating 15 percent of its annual budget to the health sector, a benchmark that aligns with global best practices and has attracted commendation both locally and internationally.
The Commissioner further revealed that the positive outcomes of these reforms are already evident in the state’s public health records. Within the period under review, Abia State recorded no cases of major diseases of public health concern, including Lassa fever, Mpox, diphtheria, yellow fever, cholera, and other related outbreaks. This, he emphasized, underscores the effectiveness of the government’s preventive healthcare strategies, improved surveillance systems, and strengthened health infrastructure.
The development marks yet another milestone in the state’s journey toward building a resilient and efficient healthcare system, positioning Abia as a growing model for health sector reforms i
n Nigeria.