A’Ibom declares health emergency, moves to revive facilities

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has declared a state of emergency in the health sector with a directive to immediately upgrade medical facilities across the state.

The decision followed the review of his administration’s healthcare development roadmap at the State Executive Council meeting held in Uyo.

Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, who briefed reporters after the meeting, said the government has approved the reopening of the healthcare recruitment portal to engage 2,000 workers. He added that the requirement of a voter’s card for applicants has been waived.

Umanah also disclosed that health training institutions in the state will be upgraded, while new professionals will be enrolled. Retired but willing medical personnel will also be engaged on contract to bridge manpower gaps.

To ensure proper coordination, the governor approved the constitution of an inter-ministerial steering committee comprising representatives of relevant ministries and agencies to oversee the implementation of the emergency measures.

The move comes after growing public concern over the decline in critical facilities, including the state’s multi-billion-naira specialist hospital, which has been plagued by broken equipment, collapsed oxygen plants, and inadequate staffing.

Only a fraction of the hospital’s expansive structure is in use, with just a handful of medical doctors and consultants available to handle all clinical duties. Nurses and administrative staff have also decried poor welfare packages, with salaries said to have remained stagnant since 2015.

The governor’s directive is expected to address these challenges and reposition the health sector for improved service delivery.