Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has declared a state of emergency in the health sector.
The governor has also announced reforms aimed at transforming service delivery across the state.
The announcement was made following the State Executive Council (Exco) meeting in Uyo on Friday.
In the meeting, the government approved immediate interventions to strengthen medical facilities, boost manpower, and overhaul health training institutions.
Information Commissioner, Elder Aniekan Umanah, told reporters that 2,000 healthcare workers will be recruited under the emergency regime, with the application process simplified by scrapping the voters’ card requirement. He said retired professionals willing to serve will also be engaged on contract to fill critical gaps.
To drive implementation, the government constituted an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee, with members drawn from key ministries and agencies.
“This emergency is about putting people first by ensuring accessible, efficient and reliable healthcare,” Umanah said.
The Exco further approved a ₦695 billion supplementary budget, raising the 2025 spending plan to ₦1.65 trillion. Of this, ₦125.6 billion is for recurrent expenditure while ₦569.3 billion is dedicated to capital projects, including funding for minimum wage implementation, NYSC allowances, erosion control, and completion of inflation-impacted infrastructure.