The Imo State House of Assembly has urged Governor Hope Uzodinma to approve the establishment of Imo State College of Nursing Sciences and Midwifery, Umudi, Nkwerre LGA, as an independent State-owned professional institution.

The House also asked the state government to integrate a Department of Autism and Special Needs Studies into the new College to ensure specialized training and research in the neglected critical area.

The House reached the resolutions while deliberating on a motion moved by the member representing Nkwerre Constituency, Nze Chisom Ojukwu and supported by 14 other Lawmakers as co-sponsors.

Presenting the motion on the floor of the House, Ojukwu said the existing schools of nursing and midwifery in the state are not sufficient to absorb the rising number of qualified applicants seeking admission every year.

He disclosed that the former NYSC Orientation Camp at Umudi in Nkwerre Local Government Area is presently underutilized, despite having vast land, durable structures, and a strategic location suitable for conversion into an academic institution.

The Lawmaker was optimistic that establishing a new, independent Imo State College of Nursing Sciences and Midwifery at Umudi will expand access to professional training, improve healthcare, manpower development, and maximize the use of existing State assets, adding that the inclusion of a dedicated Department of Autism and Special Needs Studies will position the State as a pioneer in addressing underserved area of healthcare education, attract partnerships, and provide specialized training and services to vulnerable populations.

The House after much deliberations on the motion, urged government to direct the Commissioners of Education and Health to undertake an immediate feasibility and needs assessment of the Umudi site and submit a comprehensive report to the State Executive Council and to provide adequate funding for rehabilitation and upgrading of the existing structures at Umudi to meet modern academic, clinical, and research standards.

It also called on the government to mandate collaboration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and other relevant special-needs accreditation bodies to secure full approval, accreditation, and long-term sustainability of the college.

Governor Uba Sani has made mental health a basic human right, by enacting the Kaduna State Mental Health Law on September 18, 2025, to replace the outdated Lunacy Act of 1958.

The law protects every citizen living with mental health condition against discrimination and guarantees access to quality care, as well as restores dignity to those who have long been ignored.

The Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, disclosed this while delivering a keynote address at a public lecture during the 2025 World Mental Health Day on Friday, which was organized by the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna.

Dr Balarabe further disclosed that Governor Uba Sani has “transformed the former Bureau For Substance Abuse into Kaduna State Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency(KADSAMHSA).”

According to her, KADSAMHSA now “coordinates care for mental, neurological and substance use disorders in a unified, humane system”, adding that “this is not only an administrative reform; it is a moral statement.”

The Deputy Governor who is a medical Doctor, said that Kaduna State has trained and graduated the first cohort of 100 clinicians, doctors, nurses and pharmacists from 10 General Hospitals under the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Program.

She argued that with this policy initiative, “care has moved from isolation to integration, from centralization to community, from exclusion to inclusion.”

Dr Balarabe recalled that in 2024, Kaduna State Government recognized the emotional burden that accompanies pregnancy and childbirth, through a Technical Working Group on Perinatal Mental Health.

“By integrating screening into maternal and child health services, we reached women who might otherwise have suffered in silence. This initiative is saving lives, restoring families and giving voice to many who once felt invisible,” she said, adding that “these efforts are part of a broader reform that embeds mental health into our primary health care system.”

Dr Balarabe commended the partnership among KADSAMHSA, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, the Ministry of Health and the State Primary Health Care Board, describing it as a model for partnership and “proof that progress is possible when policy, professionalism and compassion move in the same direction.”

The Deputy Governor revealed that Kaduna State plans to extend mental health services to “all 30 General Hospitals and every ward-level Primary Health Care, including our 23 designated Centers of Excellence. We are also working with KADCHMA to make mental health care covered and affordable under the Contributory Health Scheme.”

Dr Balarabe called on all tiers of government, development partners, civil society organizations, faith leaders and the private sector to lend support, resources and influence to mental health issues.

The Deputy Governor commended Dr Aisha Yushau Armiyau, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, for her impeccable leadership, professionalism and dedication, which continue to shine as example of excellence.

“She embodies what it means to lead with skill, with vision and with a heart. She is not only delivering results but also inspiring confidence in the health care system and doing women professionals proud as a remarkable role model”, she added.

Dr Balarabe also commended the Director General of KADSAMHSA, Dr Joe Ike, for his purposeful leadership and for working with likeminds “who share the same spirit of service, compassion and professionalism.”

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has said that his administration prioritizes the healthcare and general welfare of the people, calling for a collective action in prevention of blindness.

He also reiterated that the ban placed on unapproved free medical outreaches in Abia communities was still in force, to protect Abia citizens from unwholesome medications.

Otti stated this on Thursday in Umuahia during a symposium organized by Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau, to mark World Sight Day.

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, said that the reforms his administration was carrying out in the healthcare sector led to upgrading of facilities and improvement in the welfare package of health workers.

He reminded Abia people that no free medical outreach would be allowed in part of the State unless such outreach is approved by the Ministry of health.

Otti explained that the measure was to prevent the 2024 incident where many community members in Abiriba, Ohafia LGA became unconscious after consuming drugs that were given to them at a free medical outreach.

In her speech, the Administrator, Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau, Dr Mrs Betty Emeka-Obasi disclosed that since the inception of the administration of Governor Alex Otti, the State has been consistent in commemorating World Sight Day.

The administrator, who warned residents against using herbal concoction to treat eye problems, said such experiment would further damage their eyes.

She called for early eye screening, regular eye examination and patronage of government hospitals for eye care.