By LEONARD OKACHIE

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia says the rising cases of cancer, brain tumour, stroke and tuberculosis among Abia youths poses serious concern to him.

Otti expressed the concern at the August edition of his media monthly chat, held at the Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, on Thursday night.

He described the trend as one of the issues that “has continued to keep me awake all night”.

He said that there was an urgent need to identify factors contributing to the increase in serious health conditions among Abia youths.

The governor, therefore, directed the Commissioner for Health to intensify public health education, with focus on preventive healthcare.

He urged Abia people to pay attention to what they eat, how they eat, when they eat and the quantity they eat.

He emphasised that government would prioritise prevention rather than waiting until illnesses escalated to when it required treatment.

Otti disclosed that the State Government was spending enormous financial resources for the treatment of Abia indigenes suffering various diseases in different hospitals in the country, including Lagos and Abuja.

He said that his administration was establishing specialist hospitals in the three senatorial zones in the state to make quality health care accessible to the people.

He said that other healthcare facilities in the state were being strengthened to respond to emerging health challenges.

According to him, the goal is to ensure that residents accessed quality and specialised health care within Abia, “instead of travelling outside”.

On infrastructure, he gave assurance that construction work on a major road that was delayed would resume and be completed soon.

He said that the challenge affecting the project had been resolved and that completion was close.

The governor also assured residents that the planned remodeling of Ubani Ultra-modern Market had not been abandoned.

He said that work on the market would commence soon, adding that government remained committed to the project.

He said that his administration prioritised the welfare and educational needs of persons with disabilities, contrary to the allegations that they were being discriminated against in admission processes.

Otti directed the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education to investigate and correct any confirmed case.

He emphasised that the administration would continue to address genuine complaints by citizens and ensure fair implementation of programmes. (NAN)