Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru Increases Doctors Salary From ₦150k to ₦500k

 

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has significantly increased the monthly salary of newly employed medical doctors in the state’s primary healthcare centres from ₦150,000 to ₦500,000, as part of a sweeping reform agenda aimed at transforming the state’s struggling health sector.

This major announcement was made during the official flag-off of a statewide health activation initiative, which also featured the unveiling of a Drug Revolving Fund and the distribution of essential medical equipment to general hospitals. Nwifuru declared the event as a decisive moment, calling it not just a ceremony but a concrete move to correct years of neglect and underinvestment in the sector.

According to the governor, his administration has so far committed over ₦10 billion to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, purchase critical equipment, and address the shortage of medical professionals across Ebonyi. He revealed that 195 new healthcare personnel—comprising doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory scientists—have been recruited and deployed to general hospitals across the state to enhance service delivery.

Long plagued by inadequate staffing, poor funding, and a lack of functional equipment, the state’s healthcare system is now undergoing a rapid transformation. Nwifuru emphasized that this renewed focus on health is anchored on his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs, a strategic framework for delivering essential services to the people.

To tackle the persistent scarcity of essential drugs, the state has launched a Drug Revolving Fund designed to ensure continuous availability of quality medications at affordable prices. The revolving model is expected to promote transparency and sustainability in drug procurement and distribution.

So far, over 60 percent of essential medications have been delivered to healthcare facilities, with the governor pledging that the process will continue until full stock levels are achieved. He urged all healthcare workers and facility managers to uphold the highest standards of integrity in handling public health resources.

As part of the reforms, general hospitals across the state are receiving deliveries of modern medical supplies, including hospital beds, mattresses, drip stands, patient monitors, and other life-saving tools. The equipment, valued at over ₦1 billion, is aimed at improving clinical capacity and reducing preventable deaths.

Nwifuru underscored the importance of community involvement in protecting these public investments. He called on traditional rulers, civil society groups, and community leaders to play an active role in monitoring the proper use of healthcare resources, stressing that accountability must be the shared responsibility of all stakeholders.

He warned that any mismanagement of public health assets would be met with strict consequences, citing recent disciplinary actions taken against erring officials as proof of his administration’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption.

Looking ahead, the governor outlined plans to establish specialist hospitals in each of the state’s three senatorial zones. These facilities are expected to provide advanced medical care, curb outbound medical tourism, and save lives. Partnerships are also being explored to improve healthcare financing, enhance digital health systems, and ensure broader access and efficiency.

Calling the initiative a “new dawn” for Ebonyi’s healthcare system, Nwifuru issued a rallying cry to health professionals and the public alike, urging collective ownership and commitment to sustaining the reforms. According to him, the journey to a functional and reliable health system has just begun—and it demands the active participation of every Ebonyian.