Gov Otti approves new salary structure, recruitment of 771 Health workers

Governor, Dr Alex Otti has approved a new salary structure and recruitment drive to boost the morale and capacity of healthcare professionals in the state.
A press statement signed by Prince Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information, noted that effective May 1, 2025, the Abia State Health Workers Salary Scale (ASHWOSS) will be implemented. This new scale aligns with the Federal Government’s salary structures for healthcare professionals specifically, the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, optometrists, medical laboratory scientists, radiographers, and other allied health workers.
This significant move ensures that Abia State health workers will now earn salaries equal to their counterparts at the federal level, a major milestone in Governor Otti’s health-focused reform agenda.
Furthermore, the Governor has approved the recruitment of 771 new health workers across various cadres, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, radiographers, and other essential healthcare personnel. This recruitment is based on a comprehensive needs assessment carried out across the state’s health facilities and agencies under the Ministry of Health.
To support this initiative, Governor Otti has also approved the immediate release of funds to cover the emoluments of the 771 new recruits.
In a bid to attract and retain top-tier talent in critical medical specialties, the Governor has directed the Ministry of Health to negotiate special emolument packages for consultants and specialists in high-demand and specialized areas. These include but are not limited to laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery, anesthesia and intensive care, cardiac and neurosurgery, transplant and robotic surgery, neonatology, oncology, interventional radiology, cardiology, nephrology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery. These negotiations will be carried out on a case-by-case basis.
This comprehensive intervention underscores Governor Otti’s visionary leadership and deep commitment to building a resilient, people-centered healthcare system in Abia State. The Ministry of Health, under the capable leadership of Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, and his dedicated team, also deserves commendation for their tireless efforts and professional coordination in translating this vision into actionable reforms.