Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has revealed its intentions to settle salary arrears owed to medical doctors, a move following its recent allocation of N10 billion towards pension arrears for pensioners.
Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, the Commissioner for Health, made this announcement during a press conference held at the Government House in Umuahia, coinciding with the visit of the Association of Nigeria Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), engaged in a 10-day medical mission within the state.
Dr. Okoronkwo also highlighted plans to increase wages for health workers in the state, aiming to boost their morale and enhance service delivery. This initiative forms part of the state government’s strategy to curb the trend of health workers migrating abroad in search of better opportunities. Additionally, the government plans to recruit more health workers to alleviate the strain on the existing workforce.
The commissioner emphasized Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to prioritizing the health sector and ensuring the welfare of health workers. Regarding the ongoing medical mission, she mentioned a projected budget of approximately N200 million, with over 500 patients already scheduled for cataract surgery, along with hundreds more for various medical procedures. The medical outreach has garnered registration from over 7,000 patients.
ANPA President, Dr. Chinyere Anyogu, commended the Abia State Government for its support and expressed the association’s dedication to providing quality healthcare to Nigerians. Dr. Anyogu also acknowledged the state government’s efforts to revamp the health sector, which influenced ANPA’s decision to conduct the mission in Abia.
Addressing the issue of health workers leaving the country, Dr. Anyogu revealed plans for a health conference in Lagos the following year to address the mass exodus, alongside collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health to train one million health workers nationwide.
Chairman of the Mission, Dr. Dele Ekusami, outlined the team’s composition, consisting of 60 volunteer physicians from the Americas and 100 from Nigeria, all committed to improving healthcare in Nigeria. This annual medical mission reflects the dedication of Nigerian physicians in the Americas to giving back to society and fostering a healthier nation.
Professor Azubuike Onyebuchi, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee and Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Umuahia, assured that necessary arrangements were in place to ensure the success of the medical outreach. He expressed gratitude to the ANPA team, volunteer physicians, and partners for their contributions towards saving lives.
The Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Abia State Diagnostic Hospital Umuahia, and Amachara Specialist Hospital serve as venues for the free medical mission, underscoring a collaborative effort to provide healthcare access to the people of Abia State.
