… Set To Become Highest Medical Salary Paid Nationwide
By Enefiok Ndon
UYO
Akwa Ibom government has announced the implementation of both the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for medical doctors and other health workers effective from November 1, 2025.
The upward review, which follows approval by Governor Umo Eno at the state exeutive council meeting on October 13, 2025, also covers allowances due to the health personnel.
The commissioner for health, Dr Ekem John, dropped the hint while playing host to the House of Representatives Committee on Health Services who were on an oversight function to assess the implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) in Akwa Ibom, led by the House Committee chairman, Mr Amos Magaji, in the conference room of the Ministry of Health, Uyo, recently.
John stated that a circular from the Office of the Head of Service was expected before the end of this month as the governor had given a marching order for the implementation to commence effective November 1, 2025.
“I can boldly say that the review is the largest single one-time percentage review in terms of medical salary in this country,” he said.
The health commissioner added that the state government was not just increasing the salaries but redefining the value of health workers in the society.
John stressed that the development was a testament to Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to improving the welfare of health workers and the strengthening of state healthcare system for more outcomes.
The commissioner extolled the leadership of the committee and members for demonstrating commitment to duty in the exercise, noting that such level of patriotism was commendable.
John pointed out that Governor Eno was very committed to the improvement of the health system in the State as shown in the numerous interventions since coming to office.
In demonstration of the approach, he said the governor had on September 12, declared a ‘State of Emergency on the Health Sector,’ while architects, engineers and quantity surveyors have been engaged for the full refurbishing of eight general hospitals, all with new accommodations.
John also informed that as part of the reforms, the state government has given approval for the recruitment of 2,000 full staff and 1,000 retired but still strong health personnel to tackle manpower shortages in the sector, just as 25 primary health centres will be renovated in October this year.
Moreso, the commissioner made known that the clinic at Victor Attah International Airport (VAIA) has been upgraded to a full-fledged hospital in preparation for the commencement of international flights.
The commissioner hinted that the Ukanafun General Hospital, abandoned since 2008, has been refurbished and was ready for commissioning with accommodations provided for all categories of staff, assuring the committee that whatever recommendations to be made would be implemented.
Chairman of the House Committee, Magaji, said that they decided to embark on the visit to enhance accessible and affordable healthcare for the teeming Nigerians.
He reiterated that in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government was committed to delivering on its mandate on the health sector.
Magaji, who represents Zango Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, explained that the committee’s mission was not to find fault but to learn health system in the State, find out how the state contribute its counterpart fund to the BHCPF.
Besides, he said that the committee also would explore how other states could learn from Akwa Ibom, how health care was taken to rural communities, especially with the exit of donor agencies where there was a drop in resources available, as well as know how the available resources were well utilised as thousands were still dying from avoidable and treatable diseases.
He stressed that Nigeria ranks highest in maternal mortality, saying that such indices ought not to be so with improved health system, committed health personnel and priority given to the development of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to reduce influx to secondary and tertiary health facilities, for more rural dwellers to access healthcare.
Magaji emphasized the need for the state health insurance agency to use the media to highlight testimonials of interventions recorded through the scheme for more pubic enrollment, as well as stressed the need for the agency to interface with lawmakers for them to see the enrollment of their constituents as a project, while consultations with communities should be enhanced to avoid double citing of projects in communities.
The chairman further implored the state government to intensify efforts in registering the informal sector that constitutes 80 per cent of the population and make it a policy for all companies and organizations operating in the state to enroll their staff in the scheme.
He extolled the state government for approving a new salary structure for all categories of health workers in the State in line with the the declaration of a State of Emergency on the health sector, saying, “Akwa Ibom has set a strong example for other states. A well-motivated health workforce is critical for achieving universal healthcare, and this initiative reflects a forward-looking government.”
The executive secretary, Akwa Ibom State Primary Health Development Agency (AKSPHCDA), Dr Eno Attah, who presented the Gateway of the BHCPF implemented under the Agency, said Akwa Ibom commenced its implementation in 2022, which saw to the recruitment of 150 nurses and midwives and the engagement of 396 Community Health Influencers, Promoters and Services Personnel (CHIPS).
Attah pointed out that beginning from 2024, Governor Eno with the ARISE Agenda concept aiming to improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots, started the process of renovating Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to strengthen access to facilities in rural communities.
The executive secretary, Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency (AKSHIA), Dr Igbemi Igbemi, in his report of the Agency’s Gateway under the BHCPF, said after commencing business in 2024, over 145,000 Akwa Ibomites have been enrolled within one year, earning the Agency a national award as the fastest growing insurance agency in the country.
He informed that over 181 health facilities were accredited for the scheme, with 135 of them activated to provide services at pubic and private facilities.
Igbemi, who functions as a permanent secretary, hinted that each of the 31 local government areas have two PHCs providing health insurance as the state has recorded 486 surgeries, 225 caesarian sections, 806 vaginal disorder operations and 4,236 referrals.
He said plans were at advanced stage to engage consultants for maximum enrollment of the informal sector, adding that already a dialogue was ongoing with the Ministry of Transport, through Ibom Mortgage Bank, to get various unions and artisans, while discussion was initiated to bring market associations into the scheme.
Also speaking, the coordinator, Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Systems (AKISEMSAS), Dr Etiemana Jacob, said that in a bid to extend the agency’s services to people in communities, arrangements had been made for ambulance services to operate at wards level where patients will be picked up to the nearest health facility for treatment.
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