Moses Essien, the representative for Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, has emphasized the urgent need for increased health worker recruitment to address manpower shortages in the state’s secondary health facilities. During a recent on-site evaluation of various general hospitals, including the General Hospital in Onna, Immanuel Hospital in Eket, and General Hospital in Iquita, Oron, Essien, who also chairs the House Committee on Health, voiced his concerns regarding the inadequate staffing of these facilities. He highlighted that the current workforce is insufficient to meet the healthcare demands of the population, advocating for the state government to take immediate action on this matter.
Essien’s call for action is underscored by the recent budget allocations for 2024, which he believes includes essential provisions for enhancing the healthcare workforce. He urged the state government to capitalize on these budgetary provisions to recruit qualified health professionals who can provide quality care to the citizenry. The need for additional health workers is pressing, according to Essien, as the current personnel struggle to deliver effective healthcare services with the existing limitations on staffing.
In addition to staffing concerns, Essien encouraged healthcare personnel, particularly doctors and nurses, to reside at their respective duty stations to ensure round-the-clock patient care. He stressed that continuous presence would be vital for efficient service delivery and ultimately improve health outcomes for the population. His advocacy extends to the ministry of health, pressing them to review the financial support provided to hospitals in the form of subventions, which he noted had been inadequate and constricted the facilities’ capabilities.
Chief Medical Superintendents at the facilities visited echoed Essien’s observations, acknowledging the persistent challenges posed by insufficient funding and workforce shortages. Dr. Francis Inyang (General Hospital, Onna), Dr. Itaketo Ndaeyo (Immanuel Hospital, Eket), and Dr. Sabastine Noah (General Hospital, Iquita, Oron) all affirmed their commitment to delivering quality healthcare; however, they highlighted that the lack of adequate resources and personnel was significantly hampering their operations. Their feedback reinforced the urgent need for governmental intervention to rectify these issues and enhance the functionality of the healthcare system in Akwa Ibom State.
Essien urged hospital leaders to take responsibility for the maintenance and operational efficiency of the healthcare facilities under their supervision. He tasked them with implementing strategies that prevent neglect and ensure timely repairs of medical equipment and infrastructure. This proactive stance is aimed at preventing the deterioration of healthcare facilities and ensuring they can serve the community effectively without further complications arising from disrepair.
In conclusion, the pressing challenges facing Akwa Ibom State’s secondary health facilities require immediate and coordinated responses from the government. By increasing recruitment of qualified health workers, reassessing subvention levels, and ensuring proper management of existing healthcare resources, the state can work towards delivering a more efficient and responsive healthcare system. The collaboration between lawmakers, healthcare leaders, and the state health ministry is essential to create a sustainable environment for health service delivery that adequately meets the needs of the populace.
