Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has directed the immediate harmonisation of the 2023 and 2025 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure for staff of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital in Aba.

He gave the order on Thursday after receiving a progress report from the hospital’s board and management.

Otti stressed that the welfare and working conditions of healthcare professionals must receive proper attention. He noted that his administration’s investment in the health sector, including the consistent allocation of 15 per cent of the state’s annual budget to healthcare, is aimed at providing affordable and quality services to residents.

The governor expressed surprise that the 2023 Federal Government CONMESS he had earlier approved was not fully implemented before the 2025 review. He said the earlier structure would have placed Abia health workers on a better salary scale than their federal counterparts at the time.

He directed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeyinwa Uma-Kalu, and the Chief Medical Director of ABSUTH, Prof Nneka Okoronkwo, to work together on the harmonisation and submit recommendations for action.

Otti also disclosed that some hospital facilities previously given to private entities had been recovered and returned to the teaching hospital.

Board Chairman Dr Ezinne Kalu presented a report on stabilising the institution, while the Chief Medical Director thanked the governor for intervening on several issues.

These included the payment of salaries owed to interns, settlement of arrears for some workers, and approval for staff promotions.