Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Abia State Government has approved the implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers at the local government level.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting. He said the approval formed part of the ongoing reforms in the state civil service.
Kanu also announced that the recruitment portal for additional health workers in the state had been re-opened.
According to him, the administration of Governor Alex Otti remains committed to improving the welfare and working conditions of public servants, noting that Abia is one of the few states in the federation that pay the federal government’s CONHESS package.
The Commissioner further revealed that the functionalisation of the second batch of 52 renovated and equipped Primary Health Centres (PHCs) was underway across the state, bringing the total number of operational PHCs to 102.
“The remaining 98 PHCs will be fully renovated and equipped before the end of the year,” he said, adding that an additional 50 or more of the 79 World Bank Impact PHCs would be completed by 2025.
“By the end of the year, it is expected that about 250 PHCs or more will have been fully renovated and equipped for use,” Kanu stated.
On the reopened recruitment portal, he said vacancies exist for ophthalmologists, medical officers, dental officers, and both part-time and full-time consultants.
Speaking also, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, said the government saved over ₦20 million monthly following a verification exercise for local government health workers.
He described the approval of CONHESS as a major milestone that would eliminate the disparity among healthcare professionals, while also boosting their morale.
Uche disclosed that 500 nurses had already been recruited for deployment to various health facilities across the state.
He further announced that the ongoing construction of three specialist hospitals in the state had been expanded and upgraded to meet world-class standards.
According to him, Governor Otti has directed the immediate operationalisation of the solar power project at the SDG Hospital in Ugwunagbo to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
“With this directive, both staff and patients will now enjoy 24-hour electricity,” the Commissioner said.
On infrastructure, he noted that the Light Up Abia initiative was progressing steadily, with the installation of a 300–350 kVA transformer substation currently in progress. He added that the survey for a 33 kVA line from Ihechiowa to Asaga, Ohafia — a stretch of 27.69 km — was also underway.
Meanwhile, Kanu appealed to Abia communities not to resist government’s land acquisition for developmental projects, assuring that the Otti administration was transparent and would adequately compensate affected landowners.
He also announced that the state government was partnering with world-class hospitals in Sweden and other international health institutions to conduct several medical outreach programmes.
According to him, upcoming medical missions include: ProHealth International Outreach: November 16–22, 2025; Abia Diaspora Medical Outreach: December 12–19, 2025; AMPA Abia Medical Outreach: April 2026; and Swedish Global Health Outreach: May 2026.
Kanu reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to transforming Abia’s healthcare system and ensuring accessible, quality medical services across the state.
