The Akwa Ibom State government has declared a state of
emergency in the health sector following a comprehensive review of its
healthcare development roadmap. The move is aimed at accelerating reforms and
strengthening service delivery under Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda.
Speaking after the State Executive Council (Exco)
meeting at Government House, Uyo, the Commissioner for Information, Elder
Aniekan Umanah, said the emergency measures will focus on upgrading medical
facilities and expanding the state’s healthcare workforce.
According to him, the government has reopened its
recruitment portal and is set to engage 2,000 healthcare workers, with the
requirement for voters’ identity card numbers waived for applicants. He added
that retired but willing medical personnel will also be engaged on a contract
basis.
The Exco, chaired by Governor Umo Eno, also approved
reforms in medical training, including the upgrading of health training
institutions and the enrollment and training of more health professionals. To
coordinate implementation, an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee has been
constituted, drawing members from relevant ministries and agencies.
Meanwhile, the council approved a ?695 billion
supplementary budget, raising the state’s 2025 budget size to ?1.65 trillion.
Out of this, ?125.6 billion is allocated to recurrent expenditure, while ?569.3
billion goes to capital projects.
The Commissioner explained that the supplementary
budget will fund several initiatives, including the implementation of the new
minimum wage, payment of allowances for NYSC members, emergency flood and
erosion control measures, and the completion of ongoing projects impacted by
inflation.
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