By Dianabasi Effiong

Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has unveiled a breathtaking Medical City project to transform healthcare delivery, reduce medical tourism, and position the state as a leading destination for specialised healthcare services in Nigeria.

The unveiling ceremony attended by healthcare professionals, industry stakeholders, and development partners, showcased one of the most ambitious healthcare infrastructure projects in Nigeria.

Eno said at the unveiling that the Medical City was one of the most audacious investments undertaken by his administration.

Quoting from the Bible, Habakkuk 2:2, the governor said the vision was conceived for the benefit of the people of the state, Nigerians, and Africans seeking access to quality healthcare services.

He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for creating an enabling environment and providing support to sub-national governments through ongoing reforms.

He said that the Medical City aligned with the healthcare objectives of his administration’s ARISE Agenda as well as the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The governor said that the project occupied approximately 100 hectares of land, with various sections designated for different medical specialties and healthcare-related services.

According to him, the facility is designed to drastically reduce medical tourism by providing technologically advanced, patient-centred healthcare services comparable to global standards.

“This project is not just a construction project; it is an investment in the future health and prosperity of our people,” Eno said.

He added that the Medical City was expected to become financially self-sustaining in the long term while creating employment opportunities and stimulating economic growth.

He said that the state employed 2,844 healthcare professionals since March 2025 as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare service delivery across Akwa Ibom.

He urged residents to use the state’s health insurance programmes, emphasising that universal health coverage remained critical to achieving sustainable healthcare outcomes.

According to the governor, Akwa Ibom will receive a brand-new Aircraft terminal in July, a development expected to complement the state’s growing profile as a destination for investment and specialised healthcare services.

In his keynote address, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who performed the unveiling ceremony, congratulated Gov. Eno and the people of Akwa Ibom for their vision and commitment to healthcare transformation.

He praised the governor’s passion for improving the well-being of citizens and described the Medical City as a demonstration of the healthcare reforms as championed by President Tinubu.

“You have shown remarkable vision, commitment and passion for your people. What we are witnessing here reflects the aspirations of the Federal Government’s healthcare reform agenda,” Pate said.

He assured the state government of the federal government’s commitment to supporting the successful completion and operation of the project.

He pledged to facilitate engagement with Nigerian healthcare professionals in the diaspora willing to contribute their expertise toward the development of the Medical City and the country’s healthcare sector.

The Minister urged the state government to consider making health insurance mandatory to ensure wider coverage and improved access to healthcare services for residents.

He commended Gov. Eno’s leadership and prayed for continued strength and wisdom to deliver on the vision for the people of Akwa Ibom State.

Providing an overview of the project, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel John and the Project Manager, Dr. Teinye Isokariari described the facility as more than a hospital and “a journey” toward healthcare excellence.

According to Isokariari, the Medical City will comprise a 10-storey complex housing 62 medical specialties and equipped with cutting-edge technology capable of delivering world-class healthcare services.

He said that no fewer than 100 indigenes of the state would be sent abroad for specialised training six months before the completion of the facility to enable them to operate the sophisticated equipment to be installed in the centre.

Isokarari further said that the structure was being supported by 356 foundation piles to ensure maximum stability and durability.

He assured stakeholders that the project would meet global standards.

The Secretary-General, Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), Prof. Adamu Danladi Bojude, expressed delight over the project, describing it as a bold initiative that would significantly improve cancer treatment and healthcare delivery across Nigeria.

He assured the state government that cancer patients nationwide would benefit immensely from the facility upon completion.

Also speaking, the National President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Afekhide Ernest Omoti, commended Gov. Eno’s remarkable investments in the health sector, adding that his achievements were a model for other governors across the country.

He also praised the governor for introducing retention allowances for healthcare workers, describing the initiative as a pioneering step toward addressing workforce challenges within the sector.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Housing, Dr. Henry Archibong, thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve the state and contribute to the realisation of the landmark project.

He commended the governor’s commitment to improving the welfare and quality of life of the people of Akwa Ibom through impactful development initiatives.

The Medical City marks another milestone in Akwa Ibom’s healthcare development journey and reinforces the state’s ambition to become a regional hub for medical excellence, innovation, and specialized healthcare delivery.

The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) has asked Nigerians to direct their anger at the Federal Government, not health workers, over the growing hardship caused by the ongoing strike in public hospitals across the country.

The union insists that its action remains unavoidable, as the government has failed to implement its one-point demand: the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers.

Speaking on the strike, JOHESU National Secretary Martin Egbanubi said the union fully understands the pain Nigerians face due to limited access to public healthcare. However, he stressed that responsibility lies squarely with the government.

“Nigerian citizens should not hold us responsible. The government should be responsible because it must do the needful to prevent this kind of strike,” Egbanubi said.

Egbanubi explained that JOHESU members also suffer from the effects of the strike. According to him, health workers are not immune to the same economic and medical challenges facing ordinary Nigerians.

He revealed that the union has already recorded casualties during the industrial action.

“We truly empathise with the masses who depend on public hospitals. But our members are also part of this country’s masses,” he said.

“As of last week, we lost one of our members at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.”

The union described the loss as painful and avoidable, stressing that prolonged government inaction continues to endanger both patients and health workers.

Despite the tension, JOHESU said it remains open to dialogue and has no interest in prolonging the strike.

Egbanubi urged well-meaning Nigerians, civil society groups, and stakeholders to appeal to the Federal Government to urgently meet the union’s demand.

“We are not deriving any pleasure from this strike. It is difficult for us. It comes with serious logistical challenges,” he said.

“If the government addresses this one-point demand, we are ready to suspend the strike immediately.”

The union also expressed frustration over what it described as unfulfilled commitments by the government.

According to Egbanubi, JOHESU suspended a previous strike in June 2023 after President Bola Tinubu intervened and promised to direct the relevant ministries and agencies to resolve the salary issue.

More than a year later, the union said nothing has changed.

“We have written to Mr. President to remind him of the engagement on June 5, 2023,” Egbanubi said.

“Unfortunately, the issue remains unresolved.”

JOHESU declared an indefinite strike in November 2025, warning that it would continue until the government implements the adjusted CONHESS.

Earlier, the National Chairman of the Medical and Health Workers Union, Kabiru Minjibri, said the action would severely disrupt medical services and academic activities in teaching hospitals nationwide.

According to him, the government made no serious effort to reach an agreement, despite several ultimatums issued by the union.

The strike gained further momentum last week after the Trade Union Congress (TUC) openly backed JOHESU.

The TUC rejected a circular from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare that directed the enforcement of a “No Work, No Pay” policy and the stoppage of workers’ salaries through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) from January 2026.

In a joint statement, TUC President Festus Osifo and Secretary-General N. A. Toro described the move as unacceptable and provocative.

They accused the government of attempting to intimidate health workers without considering Nigeria’s harsh economic conditions.

The congress also warned that the directive undermines ongoing negotiations and violates established industrial relations principles.

As the strike drags on, public hospitals remain largely shut, leaving millions of Nigerians—especially the poor—without access to affordable medical care.

While health workers insist their demand is modest and clear, the government’s silence continues to deepen the crisis.

For now, patients wait. Health workers protest. And Nigeria’s fragile health system remains caught in the middle.

The Anambra State Government on Tuesday began the recruitment of community-based health workers to boost grassroots healthcare in the state.

The recruitment which took place in Awka, was carried out by state’s Primary Healthcare Development Agency(ASPHCDA) in partnership with Ministry of Health and National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).

Speaking to journalists, Mrs Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, said the recruitment exercise was strengthen access to affordable healthcare in rural areas.

Uchem said: “This is part of government efforts to boost primary healthcare by recruiting and deploying qualified personnel to communities.

“It will help bridge the gap between residents and health facilities, ensuring that basic services reach people at the grassroots.

“I urged successful applicants to carry out their duties with compassion and integrity, because any form of negligence can cost lives.

“I also want to cautioned that anyone caught using forged certificates during the recruitment process would face the law.”

Also speaking, Dr Obiagelu Uchebo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, said the workers would help care for the sick, direct residents to health centres and support expectant mothers to ensure safe deliveries.

She explained that the recruitment aimed to reduce maternal mortality, stillbirths, and other preventable deaths.

“At least 10 community-based health workers would be assigned to each ward across the state to address the shortage of staff in primary healthcare centres, “she said.