Governor Bassey Otu's administration has approved a 100 per cent salary increase for doctors in Cross River State. The raise is part of a broader healthcare reform initiative launched since Otu assumed office. Funding for the health sector has increased by more than 100 per cent, according to official statements. The government has also lifted a long-standing embargo on health sector hiring and approved the recruitment of 2,000 additional healthcare workers. These include nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and community health officers.
The reforms extend beyond pay, with welfare packages and allowances improved for medical personnel across the board. Renovation funds have been released for General Hospital, Ukem, Cottage Hospital, Oban, and the General Hospital complex in Akpabuyo, previously abandoned. These facilities serve urban and rural communities, including remote riverine and creekside settlements. The government described the upgrades as efforts to restore dignity and functionality to public health institutions.
A doctor in Ogoja, identified as Dr. Monjok, was cited as an example of frontline workers who had long served under challenging conditions. He reportedly struggled with low pay and limited resources before the intervention. The salary adjustment is expected to improve staff retention and attract skilled professionals to the state's health system. The reforms are framed as fulfilling a commitment to prioritize healthcare as a fundamental right.
Governor Otu doubled doctors' salaries only after years of underpayment that drove many to quit. If the state could afford 100% raises now, why not earlier when doctors were leaving in droves? The same health workers enduring past neglect are now called heroes while receiving belated compensation. This sudden investment suggests funds were available all along but not prioritized until now.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
