Mothers at the heart of Change: The Otti-led Overhaul giving them a Fighting Change
Abia State, has historically grappled with systemic challenges in maternal healthcare, including insufficient infrastructure, a shortage of skilled medical personnel, and socioeconomic barriers that deterred women from accessing formal care. Prior to 2023, the state’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) stood at an estimated 550 deaths per 100,000 live births, exceeding Nigeria’s national average of 512. Rural areas bore the brunt of this crisis: only 30% of communities had access to functional primary health centers (PHCs), and cultural reliance on traditional birth attendants (TBAs) often sidelined institutional deliveries. Efforts such as the 2012 Abia State Strategic Health Development Plan and partnerships with international NGOs like UNICEF yielded modest improvements, but sustainability issues and erratic funding limited their long-term impact. By 2023, antenatal care (ANC) coverage remained at 58%, with just 38% of births occurring in health facilities, underscoring persistent gaps in equitable healthcare access.
Governor Alex Otti’s administration, inaugurated in May 2023, marked a turning point with targeted interventions to overhaul maternal care. Central to his agenda was the revitalization of PHCs, he has directed that all must became fully operational by early 2026, offering free antenatal, delivery, and emergency obstetric services to alleviate financial burdens on low-income families. Concurrently, partnerships with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and UNICEF facilitated the training of 200 midwives in advanced obstetric care, while community outreach campaigns encouraged facility-based deliveries and prenatal visits. These efforts have resonated deeply with residents: testimonials from mothers like Ngozi Okoro of Umuahia, who praised the “miracle” of cost-free, safe deliveries at renovated clinics, reflect grassroots approval. Media outlets such as The Guardian Nigeria have lauded the state’s “unprecedented investment in maternal health,” and traditional titled Chief like Samuel Onuoha of Isuikwuato applauded Otti for “bridging the gap between rural communities and modern healthcare.” Early indicators, though yet to be quantified in updated MMR statistics, suggest a decline in preventable maternal deaths and increased institutional delivery rates.
Despite progress, challenges persist. Rural access gaps, lingering cultural hesitancy toward formal care, and the need for sustained funding remain critical hurdles. Governor Otti’s administration has outlined plans to expand PHC networks, integrate TBAs into the formal healthcare system through training, and deploy technology for real-time maternal health monitoring. Stakeholders, including UNICEF, have urged continuity in these policies to consolidate gains. If maintained, Abia’s maternal care reforms could serve as a blueprint for other Nigerian states, demonstrating how strategic investment, community engagement, and systemic accountability can transform healthcare outcomes. The public’s overwhelming commendation of Otti’s efforts underscores a collective optimism—a belief that the state is finally prioritizing the lives of its mothers.
Dr Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke writes from Yakubu Gowon University Nigeria.
