EBONYI GOVERNOR FLAGS OFF HEALTH ACTIVATION PROGRAM, LAUNCHES DRUG REVOLVING FUND AND DISTRIBUTES MEDICAL EQUIPMENT WORTH BILLIONS OF NAIRA.
…Announces minimum salary/allowances of #500,000 for newly employed medical doctors.
By James Ndubuisi Nwakpa
As part of efforts to improve in delivering quality healthcare services to Ebonyi people, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has officially flagged off the Health Activation Program, marking a significant stride in his administration’s mission to revamp the state’s healthcare system. The high-profile event, which took place in Abakaliki, also signaled the commencement of the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) and the statewide distribution of essential medical equipments to general hospitals across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state.
Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Nwifuru declared the event not merely ceremonial but a clear demonstration of his administration’s determination to revitalize the healthcare sector in line with the health pillar of his “People’s Charter of Needs” mantra. He lamented the long-standing issues of underfunding, shortage of healthcare professionals, and the lack of critical equipment, stating, “This narrative must change, and it must change now.”
The Governor explained that the Drug Revolving Fund, a major component of the activation program, is designed to ensure the continuous availability of quality and affordable essential medicines in all general hospitals. According to him, the revolving nature of the fund guarantees sustainability, transparency, and accountability, particularly critical for rural communities who often lack access to life-saving drugs. He further revealed that over 60% of essential drugs have already been delivered across hospitals, with full distribution underway.
In a clear practical approach to equip the health facilities for optimal service delivery, Governor Nwifuru unveiled the distribution of modern medical equipments, including hospital beds, patient monitors, mattresses, drip stands, and other vital consumables, with a total investment worth billions of naira. According to the governor, “These are not for decoration. They are instruments of life-saving service,” which must be properly utilized, he stressed.
To address human resource gaps in the sector, the Governor announced the recent recruitment of 195 healthcare professionals, comprising doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory scientists, who have been deployed to general hospitals across the state. He also emphasized ongoing collaborations with relevant institutions to ensure continuous training and retraining of health personnel in accordance with global best practices.
Governor Nwifuru called on traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organizations, and all stakeholders to take ownership of the health facilities, stressing that “ownership brings responsibility.” He warned against mismanagement or diversion of public resources, stating unequivocally that accountability is not optional but a duty, citing recent disciplinary actions taken in the sector as a warning.
Looking ahead, the Governor shared his administration’s broader vision to establish specialist hospitals in each of the three senatorial zones of the state to offer advanced medical services, reduce medical tourism, and ultimately save lives. He also disclosed plans to explore strategic partnerships for healthcare financing and the integration of digital health systems to boost efficiency and accessibility.
In a major policy pronouncement, Governor Nwifuru reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of medical practitioners, announcing that the salaries and allowances of the newly employed medical doctors should not fall below five hundred thousand naira monthly. This, he noted, would ensure their comfort and dedication to duty in the interest of public health.
The Governor also used the opportunity to admonish both the civil and public servants, including government functionaries and cabinet members, to demonstrate higher levels of dedication and seriousness in the discharge of their duties. He stressed that those at the helm of public affairs were not chosen because they are better than others, but because grace located them,” hence, the need to show diligence in service delivery for the betterment of the state.
With this bold initiative by Governor Nwifuru, Ebonyi State appears to be entering a new era of healthcare transformation, promising a healthier and more resilient future for its citizens.
