*Pledges to procure brand new jeeps for doctors
By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki
In a bid to ensure quality health care delivery in Ebonyi State, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has disclosed his preparedness to revive and reposition general hospitals in all parts of the state by furnishing doctors quarters, upgrading their salary to be equivalent to their counterparts in the Federal Civil Service, as well as procuring brand new jeeps to ease their mobility.
Governor Francis Nwifuru announced this during a citizens’ engagement organized to elicit the thoughts of Ebonyians for inclusion in the 2024 Budget Estimate of the state.
The governor pledged to provide all the necessary incentives needed to make their stay comfortable as resident doctors, so that they will discharge their duties effectively.
Governor Nwifuru said that the purpose of doing this is to draw healthcare delivery closer to the grassroot and reduce the burden of patients who migrate from rural areas to the town to seek proper medical treatment.
In order to alleviate the plight of medical students in Ebonyi State University, he also announced that a new teaching hospital has been provided for the students to facilitate their academic activities.
Governor Nwifuru while noting that health would get the second highest attention under the 2024 budget, said that becomes necessary in order 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 them habitable.
“As we speak, a contract of 8.81billion Naira 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.”
Governor Nwifuru further spoke on his administration’s preparedness to open up rural communities through aggressive road constructions in the incoming year, clarified 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.
