Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State | File Photo
. To procure brand new SUVs for doctors
‘As we speak, a contract of N8.81 billion has already been awarded for the supply of drugs, consumables, and equipment in the General Hospitals so that you don’t have any need to come to town or even Abuja in search of medical attention’
By Nweze Anaga,
Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has assured medical doctors in the state of improved welfare package that includes furnishing their quarters, salary increase, and procurement of SUVs (Jeep) for them.
Nwifuru also promised to revive and reposition the general hospitals in all parts of the state to ensure quality healthcare delivery to the citizens.
Governor Nwifuru gave the assurance during the “Citizens’ Engagement” organized to elicit the thoughts of Ebonyians for inclusion in the 2024 Budget of the state on Wednesday.
The governor also pledged to provide incentives needed to make their stay comfortable as recident doctors to enable them discharge their duties effectvly.
Governor Nwifuru explained that the purpose of the measure was to draw healthcare delivery closer to the grassroots and reduce the burden of patients who migrate from rural areas to the town to seek proper medical treatment.
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To alleviate the plight of medical students in Ebonyi State University, the governor also announced that a new teaching hospital had been provided for the students to facilitate their academic activities.
Nwifuru, while disclosing that health would get second highest attention in the 2024 Budget, explained that it became necessary to create access to healthcare services to the average Ebonyians in line with his People’s Charter of Needs blueprint.
“We have recruited 36 new doctors added to seven of them previously, bringing the total of them to 42. What the state will do is to pay them salary equivalent to what the Federal Government pays doctors, buy them brand new Jeeps, furnish the doctors quarters in the general hospitals and make the quarter habitable.
“As we speak, a contract of N8.81 billion has already been awarded for the supply of drugs, consumables, and equipment in the General Hospitals so that you don’t have any need to come to town or even Abuja in search of medical attention,” he said.
Nwifuru further disclosed that he was opening up rural communities through aggressive road construction in the upcoming year, stressing that out of the 512kms of roads earmarked for construction, a total of 310kms would be completed within the cycle of the 2024 Budget.
The governor also hinted of his administration’s desire to scale up empowerment for underprivileged Ebonyians under the 2024 Budget.
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