WHO and FCDO Commend Governor Mbah’s Bold Reforms in Enugu’s Health Sector
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have jointly applauded Governor Peter Mbah’s administration for its sweeping reforms and infrastructure development in Enugu State’s healthcare system. In a move seen as a direct endorsement of the governor’s approach, both organizations donated vehicles, equipment, and training resources to the Enugu State Colleges of Nursing located in Park Lane and Awgu.
During a handover ceremony held at the Government House in Enugu, the WHO Country Director and Head of Mission, Nigeria, Dr. Pavel Ursu, stated that the donations were part of the Equipment Support for Health Training Institutions (ESHTI) initiative — a collaborative effort between WHO and the Enugu State Government aimed at upgrading medical education infrastructure and training capacity.
The items donated included two 15-seater Toyota Hiace commuter buses, two Mikano diesel generators, 145 desktop computers, five suction machines, eight 3D electronic boards, 13 multifunctional photocopiers, and numerous laboratory, nursing, and hostel accessories.
Dr. Ursu highlighted that the contributions followed a detailed infrastructure readiness assessment of the two colleges, commending Governor Mbah’s leadership for “bold and strategic investment in health system strengthening.” He noted that Enugu had become a model state through its ongoing construction of 260 Type 2 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), solar electrification of healthcare facilities, and the ambitious quaternary Enugu International Hospital project — an initiative that could position the state as a future hub for medical tourism.
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He also cited the digital transformation of health operations under Mbah’s leadership, which includes digitizing PHC and secondary health facilities, providing over 360 health centers with tablets and internet connectivity, implementing electronic health record systems, and developing real-time data dashboards for improved clinical management.
“These efforts are expected to reduce patient wait times, improve quality of care, and enable evidence-based decision-making,” Ursu said. He further commended the administration’s focus on healthcare workforce expansion, including the recruitment approval for 2,200 health workers across various cadres, 450 of whom are already in service.
Also speaking, Dr. Ebere Anyachukwu, Health Advisor for FCDO Nigeria, described the Mbah administration as “a shining example of leadership in health reform,” affirming the UK government’s commitment to continued partnership with Enugu State. “We are proud to support these initiatives and believe they will strengthen the health workforce’s capacity and quality across the state,” Anyachukwu remarked.
Governor Peter Mbah, in his response, expressed deep appreciation to WHO and FCDO, emphasizing that their partnership would accelerate his administration’s mission to eradicate poverty and drive inclusive economic growth. “We believe that the health and well-being of our people is the foundation of sustainable development. A healthy nation is indeed a wealthy nation,” he said.
The governor noted that the donated resources aligned perfectly with the state’s goal to train at least 3,000 healthcare professionals annually, adding that the government would also embark on constructing additional classrooms and hostels across the nursing campuses, including Oji River. He further disclosed that the state was completing two new six-floor blocks at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital to expand access to world-class medical services.
Dr. Yomi Jaye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters, described the gesture from WHO and FCDO as “a vote of confidence” in the Mbah administration’s commitment to reviving health education. He recalled that the state’s nursing institutions were on the brink of losing accreditation before Mbah’s reforms restored stability and credibility.
Meanwhile, public reaction to the development has been largely positive, with citizens praising the governor’s progress. Some online users, however, raised questions about the pace of health worker employment and sustainability of reforms. Others lauded the government for prioritizing health despite national economic challenges, describing the donations as a sign of international confidence in Enugu’s leadership.