Dr. Odiraa Nwankwo, a medical doctor and public health advocate, has declared his intention to contest for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ticket to represent Orumba North and South federal constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election. He made the announcement during an interactive session with the League of Anambra Journalists in Abuja. Nwankwo, who described himself as a first-time lawmaker, cited his extensive experience in medicine and public service as qualifications for the role. He emphasized his focus on healthcare reform, particularly in strengthening Nigeria's health insurance system to improve access and affordability. He stated that healthcare is expensive and must be made easier for people to access through functional insurance schemes. A key priority, he said, is addressing Nigeria's high under-five mortality rate, which stands at 111 per 1,000 live births. He attributed the crisis to the country's overemphasis on primary healthcare while neglecting secondary and tertiary care. Nwankwo proposed the establishment of pediatric intensive care units (ICUs) in all six geopolitical zones through legislative action. He highlighted his personal contribution to child healthcare, including setting up a pediatric ICU at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Enugu using medical equipment sourced from abroad. He personally shipped multiple 40-foot containers of medical supplies and facilitated specialized training for doctors in South Africa and Kenya, as well as for nurses in pediatric ICU care. He expressed his intention to join the House Committee on Health Institutions to drive policy change.
Odiraa Nwankwo claims Nigeria's child mortality crisis stems from neglect of critical care, yet plans to enter politics only now despite shipping medical supplies for years. His work establishing a pediatric ICU in Enugu shows what direct action can achieve, unlike legislative promises. Nigerians in Orumba may wonder why his hands-on approach hasn't already extended to their hospitals. A lawmaker with his experience should explain how he'll replicate such projects beyond one teaching hospital.
💡 NaijaBuzz is an AI-assisted news aggregator. This content is curated from third-party sources — NaijaBuzz is not the original publisher and is not responsible for the accuracy of source reporting. The NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion only, not established fact. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. NaijaBuzz does not endorse the views expressed in source articles.
