Otti Launches Emergency Services to Combat Maternal Mortality

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State highlighted the critical role of emergency medical services in addressing maternal and infant mortality during the launch of a new rural emergency transport system in Umuahia. This initiative aims to enhance public health by ensuring that pregnant women and newborns receive urgent care within 25 to 30 minutes.

Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uch, from the Abia State Commission of Health, noted that the program specifically targets three local government areas—Obingwa, Ukwa East, and another high burden area—identified as having a significant maternal mortality rate. The strategy includes deploying ambulances centrally within these local governments and training emergency transport officers to facilitate swift responses to distress calls.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve healthcare access and reduce the high maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the state, which are among the highest in Nigeria.