Ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu Claims His Administration Boosted Life Expectancy In Abia State

Ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu Claims His Administration Boosted Life Expectancy In Abia StateFormer governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has claimed that his administration significantly increased the life expectancy of the state’s citizens. Ikpeazu attributed this success to his medical background, which helped him address various health challenges during his tenure.

He stated that the measures taken to improve health since he assumed office in 2015 have been effective.

“I take the healthcare and well-being of the people in Abia State very seriously. To increase life expectancy and address the challenges in our healthcare system, we implemented several strategic measures. We prioritized preventive measures to reduce the need for hospital visits due to illness. We asked ourselves: how can we secure the health of our citizens to the point where hospital visits for common illnesses become rare? To achieve this, we emphasized health awareness and education,” Ikpeazu said via X.

Among the measures his administration implemented were the employment of environmental health officers who provided health education across the state, and the establishment of 750 affordable healthcare centers to reduce infant mortality. He ensured quality funding for these centers, allowing pregnant women to access services for free.

“Environmental health officers were engaged to take on the responsibility of raising awareness about preventive health practices. When health challenges arose, we sought effective solutions to ensure prompt and proper treatment. We recognized that continued health problems required ongoing efforts and responsiveness. Childbirth and infant mortality were critical areas of focus. We educated pregnant women on utilizing the healthcare facilities we provided.

The government established over 750 affordable healthcare centers across the state, each managed by community leaders, healthcare professionals, and supported by government funding. This infrastructure ensured accessible and quality healthcare services for all, especially pregnant women.

We made antenatal care readily available and took measures to protect both pregnant women and their unborn children. All healthcare services for women and infants were provided free of charge throughout the state,” he explained.

The former governor also mentioned that his administration provided comprehensive care packages for new mothers during the first months of their babies’ lives, ensuring every child born during his administration had an equal chance to thrive.

“To support new mothers, we provided a comprehensive care package containing essential items for the baby’s first months. Postnatal care was also prioritized, ensuring that mothers had access to continued healthcare after childbirth. These initiatives ensured that every child born in Abia State had an equal chance to thrive, reflecting the government’s commitment to prioritizing maternal and infant health,” Ikpeazu added.