By Steve Oko

UMUAHIA — Abia State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonna Uche, has challenged graduates of the National Health Fellows Programme to deploy the knowledge and skills acquired during their training to drive transformative changes in healthcare delivery across the state’s 17 local government areas.

Speaking yesterday at the graduation ceremony of 34 fellows from Cohorts 1 and 2 of the programme held in Umuahia, the Commissioner said the training was designed to produce a new generation of health leaders capable of strengthening primary healthcare and improving health outcomes at the grassroots.

He congratulated the graduating Cohort 1 fellows and urged the newly inaugurated Cohort 2 trainees to maximise the opportunity provided by the programme.

“This graduation marks the beginning of greater responsibility. The knowledge you have acquired must be translated into meaningful actions that will improve healthcare delivery in our communities,” Uche said.

He urged the fellows to embrace evidence-based decision-making and innovative approaches in addressing healthcare challenges.

“We expect you to apply the skills you have acquired towards strengthening primary healthcare, deepening community engagement, and contributing to effective health policies and programmes across Abia State and Nigeria.”

Addressing the incoming Cohort 2 fellows, the Commissioner described the programme as a strategic platform for nurturing young professionals who will drive ongoing health sector reforms.

“I encourage you to embrace every learning opportunity, remain focused, collaborate effectively, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism. You are the agents of change our healthcare system needs,” he said.

Delivering a lecture at the event, renowned Paediatrician and former university don, Prof. Kanu Nkanginieme, said Abia’s healthcare sector had witnessed remarkable improvements under the current administration.

According to him, the state’s major challenge in the past was not just inadequate healthcare infrastructure but a critical shortage of skilled manpower.

“The biggest challenge then was the lack of healthcare personnel. There were simply no professionals available for recruitment. Today, the government has taken a bold step by adopting the federal salary structure for health workers, making the sector more attractive,” he said.

The elder statesman commended Governor Alex Otti and his team for their efforts at repositioning the health sector and improving governance in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the graduating fellows, Mr Roland Okere, expressed confidence in the capacity of the beneficiaries to translate their training into tangible results at the local government level.

“We are ready to deliver. Whatever concerns healthcare development and service delivery in our communities, we are prepared to apply the knowledge and experience gained from this programme,” he said.

The National Health Fellows Programme is a capacity-building initiative aimed at equipping young professionals with leadership, policy and management skills needed to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.