Abia State Governor Alex Otti has approved a transformative salary structure for health workers, aligning their earnings with federal standards effective May 1, 2025. The Abia State Health Workers Salary Scale (ASHWOSS) will harmonize pay for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied professionals with federal benchmarks like CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Scale) and CONHESS (Consolidated Health Salary Scale), ending years of disparities. The move accompanies plans to recruit 771 new healthcare workers-including specialists in robotic surgery, neonatology, and interventional radiology-to address critical staffing shortages.
Funding and Recruitment Drive
The state government has allocated immediate funds to cover salaries for the new hires, identified through needs assessments across hospitals and clinics. Governor Otti also authorized special incentive packages to attract top-tier consultants in fields like laparoscopic surgery, cardiology, and oncology, aiming to position Abia as a hub for advanced medical care.Context and Impact
This overhaul responds to systemic challenges such as unpaid salaries, outdated infrastructure, and brain drain that have plagued Abia’s health sector. By dedicating 15% of the state’s budget to healthcare, Otti’s administration seeks to retain talent, improve service delivery, and reverse the trend of medical professionals migrating to federal institutions or abroad.Governor’s Vision
“With ASHWOSS, we’re not just raising salaries but restoring dignity to our health workforce,” Otti emphasized, framing the policy as part of broader reforms to modernize hospitals and expand access to cutting-edge treatments. The May 1 implementation date marks a decisive step in fulfilling his campaign pledge to prioritize healthcare as a cornerstone of Abia’s development agenda.
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