.recruits 2,000 health workers
By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR
Cross River State Governor, Sen. Bassey Otu, has approved a 100 percent salary increase for medical doctors in the state.
He also gave approval for the recruitment of over 2,000 health workers and released funds for the renovation of three public hospitals, in a sweeping overhaul of the state’s health sector.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Calabar, described the developments as milestones in Governor Otu’s ongoing healthcare reform agenda.
Dr. Ayuk said funds had been approved for the renovation of General Hospital Ukem and Cottage Hospital Oban, as well as for civil works at the abandoned General Hospital complex in Akpabuyo.
Hos words :” Governor Bassey Otu has approved the release of funds for the renovation of General Hospital Ukem and Cottage Hospital Oban, as well as the commencement of civil works at the abandoned General Hospital complex in Akpabuyo.
“This is a continuation of our determined efforts to revamp public hospitals across the state following the very successful revitalization of over 100 primary healthcare facilities within the last two years,” he said.
The Commissioner said the administration’s healthcare transformation began with a massive upgrade of primary healthcare facilities, resulting in the revitalisation of more than 100 PHCs across the state within two years.
Dsmissing allegations that the Otu administration was neglecting the health sector as politically motivated, Ayuk said the facts on ground spoke for themselves.
“Those alleging neglect of the health sector are merely expressing political frustrations. Governor Otu increased fiscal allocation to the health sector by over 100 percent, lifted the embargo on employment and recruited over 2,000 health workers.
“He also approved a 100 percent salary increase for doctors, enhanced allowances for health personnel and established the Hospital Management Board. These are not the actions of a government that intends to neglect healthcare,” Ayuk stated.
He added that the increased investment had improved service delivery across the state and laid a solid foundation for the transformation of secondary and tertiary health institutions.
