The Abia State Government has approved the implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure for local government health workers in the state.

The state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday in Umuahia, the state capital, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said the approval of CONHESS formed part of the ongoing reforms in the state civil service, adding that the government remains committed to improving workers’ welfare and conditions of service.

He emphasized the significance of the pay structure approval: “This commendable move makes Abia State one of the few states in the country that pay the Federal Government’s Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS),” he stated.

Kanu also disclosed that the functionalization of the second batch of 52 renovated and equipped Primary Health Centres is ongoing across the state.

He provided updated figures on the PHC development: “This brings the total number of functionalised PHCs to 102. The remaining 98 PHCs will be fully renovated and equipped before the end of the year.”

He added a commitment regarding World Bank PHCs: “In the same vein, 50 or more out of the 79 World Bank Impact PHCs will be fully renovated and equipped before year-end.”

He outlined the ambitious goal for the year’s end: “By the end of the year, it is expected that a total of 250 PHCs or more would have been fully renovated and equipped for use by Abians.” The Commissioner expressed satisfaction that citizens were increasingly patronizing the PHCs in line with the Governor’s vision for the health sector.

He also revealed that the construction of three specialist hospitals in the state is ongoing, noting that a review of the projects had been carried out to ensure that the facilities are upgraded to world-class standards.

Kanu further said that Otti has directed that the solar power project at the SDG Hospital in Ugwunagbo be operationalised immediately within the week, adding that the move would ensure uninterrupted power supply for hospital staff and patients.

Kanu disclosed that the state government, through the Ministry of Health, is collaborating with world-class hospitals in Sweden and other global health institutions on several medical outreach programmes.

He listed the specific initiatives: “Some of the outreach programmes include one in partnership with Pro-Health International, which will run from November 16 to 22, 2025. The second, organised by the Abia Diaspora Medical Outreach Group, will hold between December 12 and 19, 2026. The third, the AMPA Abia Medical Outreach, is scheduled for April 2026, while the last, involving Abia State and the Swedish Global Health Outreach, will hold in May 2026. All these medical outreaches have been lined up to improve the health and well-being of our people in Abia State,” he said, adding that there were currently no confirmed cases of diseases of public health concern in the state.

Kanu also announced that the recruitment portal for health workers had been reopened, noting that vacancies exist for ophthalmologists, medical officers, dental officers, and part-time and full-time consultants.

He urged qualified professionals to apply, stating: “The State Ministry of Health, through the Civil Service Commission, is still interested in hiring the best hands for the positions mentioned above. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the Abia State website and apply via the link provided on the portal,” he stated.