Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, has announced a significant increase in the monthly salaries and allowances of newly recruited medical doctors in the state.
The salaries will now be N500,000, up from N150,000.
Nwifuru made the announcement during the inauguration of the state’s health activation programme and the launch of hospital equipment worth billions of naira.
The governor emphasised that doctors deserved higher pay to help them perform at their best and support their families.
“I came across an analysis on social media regarding the inadequacy of the N150,000 salaries and allowances for doctors.
”After issuing questionnaires, I found that the analysis was valid and action needed to be taken,” Nwifuru explained.
He highlighted the high cost of living, noting that doctors working in areas like Ivo Local Government Area spent significant amounts on fuel.
Nwifuru noted that a doctor working in Ivo needed about 20 liters of fuel daily, which could be costly.
The governor acknowledged the challenges of the medical profession and stated, “Doctors deserve more. I have decided that their salaries and allowances should be a minimum of N500,000 monthly, and this applies only to newly recruited doctors.”
The governor also urged doctors to utilise the accommodation provided in various local government areas to reduce cost of living.
He directed the state’s Commissioner for Health to expedite the completion of the quarters, ensuring they were conducive to habitation.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of the State Drug Management Agency, Mrs. Jioke Chinwendu, pledged the agency’s commitment to ensuring the consistent availability of drugs in health facilities across the state
