Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Tuesday commissioned the newly remodelled and digitally equipped 80-bed Obingwa General Hospital in Mgboko, the headquarters of Obingwa Local Government Area, renaming the facility after late human rights activist, Chima Ubani.

The hospital, now known as the Chima Ubani General Hospital, was described by the governor as a major step towards rebuilding the state’s public healthcare system and improving access to quality medical services for residents of Obingwa and neighbouring communities.

Speaking at the commissioning, Otti said healthcare remained a central component of his administration’s development agenda, particularly efforts to restore public confidence in government-owned health institutions and reduce preventable deaths among mothers and newborns.

He said the strategic location of the hospital would enable it to serve hundreds of thousands of residents in Obingwa, Aba, Osisioma and other adjoining communities.

Otti highlighted several features of the facility, including a healing garden, digital data management systems, real-time inter-facility collaboration, technology-assisted laboratory and scan analysis, a modern theatre, eye-care units, observation rooms and a renewable energy system designed to provide reliable power.

“This facility should remain open every night and day. It operates for 24 hours a day, Saturdays and Sundays inclusive.

“Whoever comes here for medical reasons must receive the attention and support they need, whatever their social or economic conditions,” the governor said.

Explaining the decision to rename the hospital after Ubani, Otti said the honour was in recognition of the late activist’s courage, compassion and lifelong commitment to justice, democracy and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

He recalled Ubani’s involvement in the pro-democracy movement, his service as Students’ Union President at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and his role as Executive Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation.

The governor described him as “a mentor of the masses, one who died in pursuit of the very ideals that he lived for.”

Otti said the honour was intended not only to preserve Ubani’s memory but also to inspire younger generations to embrace courage, service and integrity.

The governor also assured that his administration would continue to support Ubani’s family while working with medical professionals and other stakeholders to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.

He commended community leaders for agreeing to participate in protecting the facility and warned against vandalism.

The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, said the project demonstrated the administration’s commitment to building a “future-ready” healthcare system.

Uche disclosed that the Otti administration had undertaken 301 health infrastructure projects within its first three years, including the construction and equipping of 277 primary healthcare centres.

He said the Chima Ubani General Hospital was designed as a digital hospital capable of linking with primary healthcare centres, allowing women in labour at PHCs to access specialist support remotely.

“Obingwa has received more than a fair share of these projects, including 18 primary health centres, 13 of them under Project Ekwueme and five under Impact project,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Abia State Hospitals Management Board, Dr Odochi Azubuike, said the hospital was originally built under the Local Government SURE-P programme and commissioned in 2015.

According to her, the facility was in a dilapidated condition when the Otti administration assumed office, with no admissions, drugs or equipment.

She said the government had transformed it from a largely non-functional facility into a fully operational hospital.

Azubuike appealed to residents of Obingwa to take ownership of the hospital and protect it from vandalism.

The Chairman of Save A Life Group, Dr Richard Okoye, said his organisation was partnering with the Abia government because of Otti’s commitment to healthcare development.

Okoye expressed optimism that the state could achieve significant improvements in life expectancy as a result of the administration’s investments in healthcare.

Retired Professor of Paediatrics, Prof Kanu Nkaginieme, also commended the governor’s healthcare initiatives, urging traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to take responsibility for protecting health facilities across the state.

The commissioning was attended by the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu; Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Meribeole; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Caleb Ajagba; Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe; Labour Party state chairman, Peter Azubuike; Mayor of Obingwa LGA, Maxwell Nwadike, among other government officials, traditional rulers and stakeholders.

Several speakers at the event, including political and community leaders, commended the governor’s projects in Obingwa and pledged support for his administration.