Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has announced a significant increase in the monthly salaries and allowances for newly recruited medical doctors in the state, raising it from ₦150,000 to ₦500,000.
The announcement was made on Monday in Abakaliki during the inauguration of the state’s health activation program, which is a preparatory step for the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) scheme.
During the event, Governor Nwifuru also unveiled hospital equipment valued at billions of naira.
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Nwifuru emphasized that doctors deserve higher compensation to enable them to perform optimally and support their families.
He explained that his decision was prompted by a social media analysis highlighting the inadequacy of the previous ₦150,000 salary.
After conducting his own survey, he confirmed the validity of the analysis.
He pointed out the high cost of living, particularly for doctors working in rural areas like Ivo Local Government Area, where significant amounts are spent on fuel.
“A doctor working in Ivo, for example, needs about 20 liters of fuel daily. If you multiply that for 28 days, you’ll see the real cost,” he noted.
The governor, who shared that he once considered a medical career but found organic chemistry challenging, asserted, “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.”
To help doctors reduce living expenses, Nwifuru urged them to utilize the accommodations provided in various local government areas.
He also directed the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, to ensure the swift completion and habitability of these quarters.
“Living at the various localities will help doctors save costs and avoid distractions from their families,” Nwifuru added.
Dr. Moses Ekuma commended the governor for the new medical equipment, assuring its effective use. He stated that the equipment would “complement the availability of modern health facilities and a motivated workforce in the state.” Jioke Chinwendu, the Executive Secretary of the State Drug Management Agency, also committed the agency to ensuring consistent drug availability in health facilities across Ebonyi.
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