(Prince Bassey Edet Otu. Photo Credit: Metro Daily Nigeria)
Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has approved the recruitment of 40 additional medical doctors to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state’s 17 public hospitals.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, disclosed this in Calabar on Monday, explaining that the recruitment forms part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to improve access to quality healthcare and address the shortage of medical personnel in government health facilities.
According to the commissioner, the recruitment will comprise 20 Medical Officers, 10 Senior Medical Officers and 10 Consultant Medical Specialists, adding that the vacancies would be advertised and the exercise conducted by the Cross River State Civil Service Commission in line with established procedures.
Dr Ayuk noted that the newly recruited doctors would benefit from the implementation of the 100 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), recently approved by Governor Otu for medical officers in the state’s public service, explaining that the enhanced remuneration package is expected to improve the welfare of medical personnel, attract qualified professionals into the workforce, and strengthen the retention of skilled doctors.
He explained that the recruitment is expected to ensure that each of the state’s 17 public hospitals has an average of three to four medical doctors, thereby improving the quality, efficiency and accessibility of healthcare services.
Describing the governor’s approval as a further demonstration of the administration’s commitment to strengthening the health sector through strategic investment in human resources.
Dr Ayuk reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the governor’s healthcare reforms, expressing confidence that the additional manpower would enhance service delivery and improve health outcomes for residents across the state.
The recruitment marks the latest in a series of initiatives by the Otu administration aimed at repositioning the state’s health sector through improved infrastructure, better welfare for health workers, and increased access to quality healthcare services.
