Abia to recruit more health workers, plans 35th anniversary

The Abia State Government has announced a plan to recruit more health personnel, including medical officers, dental officers, and consultants, for both full-time and part-time appointments. This new phase of recruitment is part of ongoing reforms under Governor Alex Otti's administration. As of the last count, 742 medical personnel had been hired.

The State Civil Service Commission will commence recruitment tonight. The reforms have earned Abia recognition as the number one healthcare affordable state and among the top three in quality healthcare delivery nationwide, according to a recent report by Philips Consulting and SBI. The Ministry of Health has also introduced a digital application, "CYTrack," to monitor high-risk and teenage pregnancies, reducing maternal and child mortality.

Additionally, the state has seen gains from the functionalization of Basic Health Centres, with the first 50 functionalized centers accounting for over 20% of 1.067 million Out-Patient Department visits and deliveries. The state recorded no outbreaks of diseases of public health importance during this period. The Ministry of Housing will also sanitize the World Bank Housing Estate at Abayi Umucham in Aba and collaborate with the Ministry of Works to carry out rainy-season maintenance on Amauba Estate roads.

Lastly, the state plans to celebrate its 35th anniversary this month, with projects such as the Obingwa General Hospital and the Cottage Hospital at Amamba Estate set to be commissioned.