The Akwa Ibom State government has declared a state of emergency in the health sector after a comprehensive review of its healthcare development roadmap.
According to the government, the move is intended to fast-track reforms and provide more efficient healthcare services in line with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda.
Briefing journalists after the State Executive Council (Exco) meeting at Government House, Uyo, Commissioner for Information, Elder Aniekan Umanah, said the emergency regime would rest on key directives.
“Under this emergency, medical facilities across the state will undergo further upgrades, and the recruitment portal for healthcare workers has been reopened,” Umanah explained.
“We are employing 2,000 healthcare workers, and applicants will not be required to provide voters’ identity card numbers.”
He added that the Exco, chaired by Governor Umo Eno, also directed reforms in medical training. These include upgrading health training institutions, expanding the enrolment and training of health professionals, and engaging retired but willing medical personnel on contract.
To ensure smooth implementation, the government has set up an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee with representatives from relevant ministries and agencies.
Meanwhile, the Exco approved a supplementary budget of ₦695 billion, raising the 2025 budget to ₦1.65 trillion. Of this sum, ₦125.6 billion is for recurrent expenditure, while ₦569.3 billion is allocated to capital projects.
Umanah said the supplementary budget would cover several initiatives, including the implementation of the new minimum wage, payment of allowances to NYSC members serving within and outside the state, emergency flood and erosion control, and the completion of projects affected by inflation.