The Anambra State Government has restated its commitment to the welfare of healthcare workers following recent media reports alleging widespread neglect and threats of industrial action by medical professionals.
In a statement on Monday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, dismissed claims that health workers in the state are living in “abject penury and squalor,” describing such reports as inaccurate and misleading.
“While the government acknowledges the right of labour unions to agitate for improved conditions, it is important to set the record straight,” Dr Obidike said.
“The administration of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo remains fully committed to strengthening the health sector and safeguarding the welfare of health workers.”
According to the Commissioner, the Soludo administration has undertaken sweeping reforms and made unprecedented investments in health infrastructure since taking office in 2022.
Key achievements include:
- Construction and equipping of five new general hospitals and an ultra-modern trauma centre.
- Recruitment of over 2,000 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses and allied staff—the first large-scale hiring exercise in more than a decade.
- Deployment of telemedicine initiatives to bridge manpower gaps, particularly in rural areas.
- Introduction of performance-based incentives to reward productivity and improve service delivery.
- Upgrading of the entry-level salary structure for nursing officers from Grade Level 9 to Grade Level 10, a demand that had remained unmet for nearly 20 years.
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Dr Obidike further disclosed that another batch of over 1,000 newly recruited health workers would soon be deployed across state-run health facilities.
The commissioner stressed the government’s preference for dialogue over confrontation, noting that ongoing talks with union leaders are focused on addressing salary adjustments and other welfare concerns.
“It is disingenuous to suggest that Anambra has abandoned its health workers or that their condition is worse than in neighbouring states,” he stated.
“Governor Soludo has consistently demonstrated commitment to building a resilient health system, one in which both healthcare providers and patients thrive.”
He appealed to health workers to avoid strike action, warning that such a move would only endanger the lives of citizens who depend on public health services.
Under Governor Soludo’s Solution Agenda, Anambra State remains focused on long-term health system strengthening, workforce development, and equitable access to care across both urban and rural communities.
“The government remains open to engagement and is confident that, through collaboration, lasting solutions to outstanding issues can be found,” Dr Obidike concluded.