The representative for Ibiono Ibom State constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Moses Essien, is advocating for the recruitment of more healthcare workers to meet the staffing requirements of secondary health facilities in the state. During a recent inspection of several hospitals, including General Hospital in Onna, Immanuel Hospital in Eket, and General Hospital in Iquita, Oron, Essien emphasized the urgent need for additional personnel to enhance healthcare services. He stressed the importance of allocating resources for this purpose in the 2024 budget.
Essien urged the state government to prioritize the recruitment of health workers to address the staffing shortages in secondary healthcare facilities. He also encouraged doctors and nurses to reside on-site to provide round-the-clock services, as the government has provided staff quarters. Additionally, he called on the State Ministry of Health to consider increasing subventions to hospitals, highlighting the need for adequate funding to maintain quality services.
Furthermore, Essien emphasized the responsibility of Chief Medical Superintendents to ensure the proper upkeep of health facilities under their supervision. He emphasized the importance of timely repairs and maintenance to prevent deterioration. The Chief Medical Superintendents of the visited hospitals echoed the importance of meeting the medical needs of the community and expressed gratitude for government investments in healthcare infrastructure.
However, they raised concerns about inadequate subventions and staffing shortages, which impact the efficiency of hospital operations. Addressing these issues, they believe, will lead to an improvement in the quality of healthcare services provided by secondary healthcare facilities in the state.