Abia Trains Health Workers On Life Support Care

The Abia State Government has launched Basic Life Support (BLS) training for health professionals to reduce preventable deaths and boost emergency care in primary healthcare centres.

The program, sponsored by the state government and the Abia State Diaspora Commission, focuses on equipping frontline workers with CPR and emergency skills.

During the launch in Umuahia on Wednesday, Health Commissioner Prof. Enoch Uche said Governor Alex Otti is committed to enhancing healthcare through continuous training, especially at the grassroots.

“The goal is to ensure workers have hands-on skills for quality care,” he added.

Prof. Uche said participants are the first batch expected to spread their knowledge to colleagues.

“Governor Otti insists healthcare workers are equipped to save lives wherever they work,” he said, urging them to take the training seriously.

The program includes international certification and providing modern equipment to health centers, so participants can apply their skills effectively.

“You’ll learn something and have the tools to use it,” he explained.

Prof. Uche shared a personal loss to highlight the need. He said a colleague died from cardiac arrest in a rural centre lacking facilities and trained staff.

Pushing for no avoidable deaths due to poor emergency care, he said “We won’t let this happen in Abia,”.

The Diaspora Commission chairman, Mr. Okechukwu Agbara praised Governor Otti for prioritizing healthcare, saying a healthy population drives prosperity. He called the CPR training timely and critical, bringing global best practices to Abia.

Training leads Dr. Odinaka Anyanwu and Dr. Nnenna Ihekoromadu said the BLS program will boost grassroots emergency response, improve survival rates, and support Otti’s healthcare reforms.

The training featured hands-on sessions on life-saving techniques.