By UKA NWAFOR, Abakaliki –
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has announced an upward review of salaries of medical doctors in the General Hospitals of the State.
Governor Nwifuru, who announced the increment of the salary from N150, 000 to N500, 000 equally charged the doctors to strive for high medical standards in the state and implored them to maintain integrity and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
He further urged them to ensure they reside in the hospitals where they are posted as this would increase the medical attention the people seek.
Governor Nwifuru made this known on Monday, while flagging off the Health Activation Program in readiness for the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) expected to commence the distribution of considerable pieces of essential medical equipment to the general hospitals across the 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State.
According to Nwifuru, the initiative would guarantee the continuous availability of essential drugs in all the general hospitals in the State.
“The revolving nature of the fund ensures sustainability, transparency, and accountability. It is a lifeline for our rural communities, who will now have access to quality medicines at affordable rates”
“On the distribution of medical equipment, our hospitals cannot function effectively without adequate tools. Therefore, we are distributing modern medical equipment, including hospital beds, mattresses, patient monitors, drip stands, and other critical consumables.”
“We are also working with relevant institutions to train and retrain our health workforce, ensuring that they meet global best practices.”
He also used the opportunity to call on community leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society in general to join in monitoring and protecting these investments, charged them to see these facilities as theirs that must be protected with everything within disposal.
” Let the health facilities belong to the people. Ownership brings responsibility. Let me make it clear that accountability is not an option—it is a duty. Any form of mismanagement or diversion of public resources will be met with firm actions”. The Governor cautioned.
