Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has expressed concern over the increasing incidence of kidney disease, cancer, brain tumours, stroke and other forms of organ failure, particularly among young people, saying the trend requires greater public awareness and emphasis on preventive healthcare.
Governor Otti spoke during the August edition of the monthly media engagement, “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians,” while responding to a question from AFIA TV reporter, Emmanuel Nwazue.
Nwazue had drawn the Governor’s attention to a viral video reportedly showing a large number of people battling kidney-related ailments outside Abia State and asked whether the government was concerned about the possibility of similar cases going undetected within the state.
The journalist also raised concerns about lifestyle, food consumption and potentially harmful practices, recalling an issue he had raised at the previous media chat concerning the alleged use of discarded tyres to roast food.
He asked whether the government would consider stronger public enlightenment and other policies aimed at preventing illnesses associated with unhealthy consumption and environmental practices.
Responding, Otti described the question as important and said the increasing occurrence of serious illnesses among younger people was a matter of concern to him.
“Your question is very good. It is one of the things that keep me awake at night, to see how come young people are now struck by cancer, by brain tumour, stroke, kidney disease and all sorts of organ failure,” Otti said.
The Governor said the situation calls for closer attention to lifestyle and other possible risk factors, while directing the Commissioner for Health to intensify public education.
“There must be something we are doing that is not right,” he said. “I think our people need more and more education.”
Otti stressed the importance of healthy eating habits, urging residents to pay attention not only to what they consume but also to how, when and in what quantities they eat.
“Our people need to also look at what they eat, how they eat, when they eat and the quantities they eat. Those things are very important so that you do more of preventive than curative,” he stated.
Beyond prevention and public enlightenment, the Governor said his administration was strengthening the state’s capacity to manage complex medical conditions through specialist healthcare facilities.
He referenced specialist hospital initiatives in Umunnato and Umuahia, including Amachara, as well as the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), saying the objective is to develop the capacity to handle serious health challenges within Abia State.
According to Otti, strengthening specialist healthcare would reduce the need for residents to seek treatment elsewhere when confronted with complex medical conditions.
“The whole idea is to ensure that these kinds of challenges that come up from time to time, we are able to deal with them here in Abia State,” the Governor said.
The exchange underscored the administration’s stated emphasis on combining preventive healthcare, public education and investment in specialist medical facilities to address emerging health challenges in the state.
