The Abia State Government has approved the implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for Local Government Health Workers.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday, while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council Meeting, presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu who reaffirmed the present administrations commitment to improving workers’ welfare and conditions of service said that the move places Abia among the few States in the Federation paying the Federal Government’s CONHESS to Local Government Health Workers.
“EXCO has approved the CONHESS Salary Scale for LG workers in the State. CONHESS is the consolidated health salary scale for workers not doctors in the medical sector”, he said.
The Commissioner also announced that significant progress had been made in the state’s healthcare revitalisation programme, adding that the second batch of 52 renovated and equipped Primary Health Centres (PHCs) is currently being functionalised across the State, bringing the total number to 102
He added that the remaining 98 PHCs would be completed before the end of the year, alongside 50 out of the 79 World Bank Impact PHCs.
Prince Kanu expressed optimism that “by the turn of the year, a total of 250 PHCs or more will have been fully renovated and equipped for use by Abians”.
The Information Commissioner noted that patronage at the rehabilitated health facilities was increasing in line with the a States Government’s vision for accessible and affordable healthcare services in Abia.
On Secondary Health Infrastructure, he said the construction of three specialist hospitals was ongoing, with recent reviews undertaken to upgrade facilities “to world-class standards in line with the aspirations of the government”.
The Commissioner revealed that the Governor had directed that the solar power project at the Sustainable Development Goals Hospital in Ugwunagbo LGA, be made operational immediately.
“With this directive, the hospital staff and patients alike will experience 24/7 light going forward”, Prince Kanu said.
He disclosed that Abia State state was partnering with world-class hospitals in Sweden and other global health institutions on several outreach programmes scheduled between November 2025 and May 2026.
According to him, “The first medical outreach involving the Ministry of Health and Pro-Health International will commence on the 16th of November and end on the 22nd”.
“The second outreach, by the Abia Diaspora Medical Outreach Group, will hold between the 12th and 19th of December, 2026, at ABSUTH, Aba and the Abia Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Umuahia”.
He said the AMPA Abia Medical Outreach would take place in April 2026, while the Swedish Global Health Outreach would hold in May 2026.
“All these medical outreaches are being lined up to impact the health of our people here in Abia State”, he said.
The Commissioner announced that the State Government had reopened its health worker recruitment portal, which had been shut down in August.
“Currently, vacancies exist for ophthalmologists, medical officers, dental officers, part-time and full-time consultants. Interested candidates should apply through the state’s website”, Prince Kanu advised.
The Commissioner for Health Prof Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity Mr Ferdinard Ekeoma were present during the briefing.
