Governor Otti Approves New Salary Scale for Abia Health Workers
ASHWOSS to Align with Federal Pay Structure
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has officially approved the implementation of the Abia State Health Workers Salary Scale (ASHWOSS), effective from May 1, 2025. This landmark decision was announced by the State Health Commissioner, Prof. Ogbonnaya Uche, in a statement released on Wednesday in Umuahia.
Equal Pay with Federal Counterparts
The new salary structure ensures that Abia health workers—including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, optometrists, medical laboratory scientists, and radiographers—will receive compensation on par with their federal counterparts. “Abia health workers will now enjoy the same pay scale as those employed by the federal government,” Prof. Uche emphasized.
Massive Recruitment Drive
In addition to the salary adjustment, the state government has approved the recruitment of 771 new healthcare professionals. This decision follows a comprehensive needs assessment conducted across health facilities and agencies under the Ministry of Health. The new hires will include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other critical medical personnel.
Funding and Special Emoluments
Prof. Uche confirmed that Governor Otti has directed the immediate release of funds to cover the salaries of the newly recruited staff. Furthermore, the governor has mandated the Ministry of Health to negotiate special emolument packages aimed at attracting and retaining top-tier medical talent in the state.
Targeting Critical Specializations
The state is prioritizing the recruitment of specialists in high-demand fields such as:
- Laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery
- Anesthesia and intensive care
- Transplant and robotic surgery
- Cardiac and neurosurgery
- Neonatology
- Interventional radiology, neurology, cardiology, and nephrology
- Ophthalmology, oncology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery
All approved measures will take effect from May 1, 2025, marking a significant step toward improving healthcare services in Abia State.
Full credit to the original publisher: The Citizen