In a major step aimed at revitalizing the state’s healthcare system, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has approved a salary increase for newly recruited medical doctors, raising their monthly pay from ₦150,000 to ₦500,000.
The announcement was made during the official launch of the state’s health activation programme in Abakaliki, which also included the distribution of hospital equipment to hospitals across the state and the introduction of the Drug Revolving Fund scheme designed to ensure steady drug supplies.
Governor Nwifuru explained that his decision followed public concerns about the current remuneration structure for doctors. After personally reviewing the situation and confirming the challenges through distributed questionnaires, he resolved that a significant upward review was necessary.
“Doctors deserve more. I have decided that their salaries and allowances should be a minimum of N500,000 monthly, and this applies only to newly recruited doctors,” Nwifuru stated.
He made it clear that the revised salary package applies to the newly employed doctors under the current recruitment initiative, which brought 195 healthcare workers—including doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, and pharmacists—into the state’s public health system.
“These professionals are the backbone of our hospitals. We cannot expect them to function optimally if they are struggling to survive,” he said. “This new wage structure of ₦500,000 is the minimum they should receive.”
He emphasized that the rising cost of living, especially for medical professionals working in remote areas, played a role in the decision. The governor cited Ivo Local Government Area as an example, where doctors reportedly spend heavily on fuel just to access their duty posts.
Acknowledging the financial pressures faced by healthcare workers, he pointed out, “A doctor working in Ivo, for example, needs about 20 liters of fuel daily. If you multiply that by 28 days, you’ll understand the real cost.”
The governor also revealed that the state had invested over ₦10 billion into revamping the health sector, including upgrading infrastructure, recruiting staff, and equipping general hospitals.
As part of the activation programme, modern hospital beds, patient monitors, drip stands, and other essential tools were distributed to healthcare facilities throughout the state.
“These are not cosmetic additions,” he said. “They are vital tools to save lives. If our hospitals must deliver, they must be equipped to do so.”
Addressing the logistical difficulties faced by rural doctors, Nwifuru urged medical professionals to use the staff accommodation provided at healthcare centres across the state.
He directed the Commissioner for Health to fast-track the renovation and furnishing of these quarters to make them habitable.
“Living in the communities they serve will not only reduce their expenses but also help limit distractions and allow them to concentrate fully on their duties,” the governor said.
Speaking on the broader reforms, Nwifuru described the launch of the Drug Revolving Fund as a vital part of the state’s plan to ensure drug availability and affordability.
“This initiative guarantees a continuous supply of essential medicines. We are already at 60% coverage, and we won’t stop until every hospital is stocked adequately.”
He stressed that the fund would operate with transparency and accountability, and he issued a stern warning against mismanagement of public resources.
“Let no one think this is business as usual. Any health worker or official caught diverting resources will face the consequences,” he warned.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma, commended the governor’s leadership, stating that the new measures would improve morale among staff and lead to better service delivery.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the State Drug Management Agency, Mrs Jioke Chinwendu, affirmed the agency’s readiness to keep medical facilities consistently stocked with essential drugs.
Governor Nwifuru also expressed the state’s long-term goals, which include establishing specialist hospitals in each of the three senatorial zones and exploring partnerships in digital healthcare and financing.
“Our goal is to make quality healthcare accessible and affordable to every citizen,” the governor said, noting that accountability will be strictly enforced throughout the implementation process.
