Gov. Alex Otti of Abia says the rising cases of cancer, brain tumour, stroke and tuberculosis among Abia youths pose a serious concern to him.
Otti expressed the concern at the August edition of his monthly media chat, held at the Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, on Thursday night.
He described the trend as one of the issues that “has continued to keep me awake all night”.
He said there was an urgent need to identify factors contributing to the increase in serious health conditions among Abia youths.
The governor, therefore, directed the Commissioner for Health to intensify public health education, with a focus on preventive healthcare.
He urged Abia people to pay attention to what they eat, how they eat, when they eat and the quantity they eat.
He emphasised that the government would prioritise prevention rather than waiting until illnesses escalated to the point of requiring treatment.
Otti disclosed that the State Government was spending enormous financial resources on the treatment of Abia indigenes suffering from various diseases in different hospitals across the country, including Lagos and Abuja.
He said his administration was establishing specialist hospitals in the three senatorial zones of the state to make quality healthcare accessible to the people.
He said other healthcare facilities in the state were being strengthened to respond to emerging health challenges.
According to him, the goal is to ensure that residents access quality and specialised healthcare within Abia, “instead of travelling outside”.
On infrastructure, he gave an assurance that construction work on a major road that was delayed would resume and be completed soon.
He said the challenge affecting the project had been resolved and that completion was close.
The governor also assured residents that the planned remodelling of Ubani Ultra-modern Market had not been abandoned.
He said work on the market would commence soon, adding that the government remained committed to the project.
He said his administration prioritised the welfare and educational needs of persons with disabilities, contrary to allegations that they were being discriminated against in admission processes.
Otti directed the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education to investigate and correct any confirmed case.
He emphasised that the administration would continue to address genuine complaints by citizens and ensure the fair implementation of programmes.
