ABIA| March 12, 2026 —
In a rare display of hands on journalism, respected investigative reporter Chi Chi Umesaka, widely known in media circles as Aunty Chi, led a powerful coalition of journalists on a fact finding tour across Abia State to verify the reality behind the government’s widely discussed digital healthcare initiative.
The tour, coordinated and personally supervised by Aunty Chi, brought together reporters and camera crews from major national and regional media organizations including Channels Television, TVC, Arise Television, Masters TV and several other news platforms. Her mission was simple but critical. Rather than relying on official statements, the journalists would witness the project firsthand and determine whether the claims about rural digital healthcare were true.
The media team began their visit at Umudike in Ikwuano Local Government Area, where they examined how the telemedicine structure connects patients with medical professionals through digital systems. Journalists observed how health data from rural communities could be transmitted instantly to doctors who monitor and guide treatment remotely.
After the Umudike inspection, the media convoy moved deeper into rural Abia to Umuenyere Alayi in Bende Local Government Area, a community long known for severe infrastructural challenges. The village has reportedly operated without electricity for more than five years and has struggled with very limited internet connectivity.
What the journalists witnessed there surprised many of them.
Residents were seen accessing medical services through telemedicine equipment installed in the community. Using smart health cards, villagers scanned into digital machines that recorded vital health indicators such as blood pressure, oxygen levels, pulse rate and body temperature.
The data collected from the machines was immediately transmitted to doctors who monitored patients remotely. Through the system, medical professionals were able to evaluate patients and recommend treatment without requiring them to travel long distances to urban hospitals.
Governor Alex Otti, whose administration introduced the digital healthcare initiative, explained that the program was designed to remove the traditional barriers that have prevented rural populations from receiving professional medical care.
According to him, the system allows both local doctors and medical specialists abroad to participate in patient care through remote consultation. The governor emphasized that modern technology now makes it possible for quality healthcare to reach communities previously considered too remote.
Another important component observed during the tour was the role of community nurses who assist villagers in interacting with the digital platform. The nurses help residents complete electronic questionnaires and explain their symptoms clearly to remote doctors, ensuring that even patients who cannot read or write are not excluded from the healthcare service.
For many journalists on the trip, the experience reinforced the importance of field verification in journalism. By insisting that the media must physically visit the communities before reporting the story, Aunty Chi ensured that the coverage reflected what was truly happening on ground.
Her leadership of the media delegation once again demonstrated why Chi Chi Umesaka, fondly called Aunty Chi, continues to command admiration across the journalism profession. Through her commitment to truth, transparency and on the ground reporting, journalists were able to confirm what could become one of the most innovative rural healthcare models not only in Nigeria but across Africa.
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