Absentee Health Workers Risk Salary Cuts, Abia Govt. Declares

The Abia State Government has pledged to take disciplinary action against primary healthcare workers who fail to report for duty.

Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu issued the warning during a Primary Healthcare Taskforce meeting at the Government House in Umuahia.

He stated that healthcare workers who neglect their duties will face salary suspensions. Emetu stressed that the administration under Governor Alex Otti is determined to reform the healthcare sector and will not tolerate absenteeism.

“The government is presently renovating over 200 primary healthcare centers across the state to improve access to quality healthcare”.

Chief Emetu also condemned traditional birth practices, which he said contribute to high maternal and neonatal mortality rates and noted that the state government is working towards checkmating their activities.

In his speech, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, emphasized the need for collaboration and synergy between state primary healthcare workers and local government authorities in order to achieve rural sensitization and implementation of health programs.

To this end, he stated that the ministry plans to hold meetings with mayors and chairmen of local governments to discuss ways to work together and improve healthcare delivery in rural areas. This collaboration, he added is expected to enhance the state’s efforts to improve healthcare outcomes and ensure that citizens have access to quality healthcare services.

Earlier in his remark, the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Kalu U. Kalu, warned that the inspectorate division will penalize health workers who are absent from their duty posts, noting that absenteeism undermines the government’s efforts to revive primary healthcare centers.

In their respective contributions, representatives from WHO, Mr Ephraim Chukwu; UNICEF, Dr Iwuoha Kalu and John Snow Incorporated, Dr..Amuzie Chidinma, commended the state government for its commitment to delivering quality healthcare and emphasized the need for community engagement, timely release of funds, and securing healthcare facilities to ensure worker safety and effective delivery of immunization packages.

The meeting was attended by notable individuals including Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Barr. Chijioke Nwankwo, Chairman, Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Eze Sir Linus Nto Mba and religious leaders.