NEWS
Abia Records No Outbreak of Major Public Health Diseases, Ranks First in Healthcare Affordability
Abia State has recorded no outbreak of diseases of public health importance during the period under review, as the state government continues to strengthen disease surveillance and healthcare delivery across the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday, August 10, 2026, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR.
According to the commissioner, the state’s health authorities closely monitored a range of infectious diseases, including Ebola, Lassa fever, COVID-19, diphtheria, cholera, mpox and yellow fever.
He said the absence of outbreaks reflected the government’s continued attention to public health surveillance and preventive healthcare measures aimed at protecting residents and responding promptly to potential health threats.
Prince Kanu also highlighted growing external recognition of the reforms being implemented in the state’s health sector, pointing to a recent report by Philips Consulting and SBI which ranked Abia first nationally in healthcare affordability and placed the state among the top three in healthcare quality.
The commissioner said the ranking was significant because it provided an independent assessment of the progress being made in the state’s healthcare system, particularly as the government intensifies efforts to make healthcare more accessible and improve the quality of services available to residents.
He described the recognition as an independent validation of the transformation taking place in Abia’s health sector under the Otti administration.
“The ranking and recognition by Philips Consulting serves as an independent validation of Abia’s impressive transformation journey so far in the state’s health sector,” Prince Kanu said.
The development further underscores the administration’s focus on healthcare as a key component of its broader governance agenda, with disease prevention, affordability and quality of medical services remaining central to efforts to improve the wellbeing of residents a
cross the state.