Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has directed the immediate harmonisation of the 2023 and 2025 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for implementation at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH).
Governor Otti gave the directive on Thursday, August 20, 2026, when he received a progress report from the ABSUTH Board and Management during a working visit to the Governor’s Office in Umuahia. The delegation was led by the Chairman of the ABSUTH Board, Dr. Ezinne Kalu.
The directive is part of the administration’s broader effort to improve healthcare delivery, strengthen staff welfare and reposition ABSUTH as a world-class tertiary healthcare institution.
Governor Otti reiterated that the state government’s substantial investment in the health sector is primarily aimed at improving access to affordable and quality healthcare for residents, rather than generating profit. He, however, stressed that healthcare professionals must also enjoy improved working conditions and welfare.
According to the Governor, Abia’s consistent allocation of about 15 percent of its annual budget to healthcare reflects the administration’s commitment to transforming the sector.
He noted that the first phase of the ABSUTH transformation focused on restoring critical accreditations that had been lost for more than two years before his administration assumed office.
The Governor also disclosed that some ABSUTH facilities previously concessioned to private entities by the former administration have been recovered following discussions and settlements with the affected parties. The facilities have subsequently been returned to the management of the teaching hospital.
On the issue of CONMESS, Governor Otti expressed concern that the 2023 salary structure he had previously approved was not fully implemented before a further review took place in 2025.
He explained that the approved 2023 structure was designed to provide a competitive remuneration package for Abia healthcare workers, potentially placing them ahead of their counterparts in the Federal service before the subsequent review.
The Governor therefore directed the Permanent Secretary of the Abia State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifeyinwa Uma-Kalu, and the Chief Medical Director of ABSUTH, Prof. Nneka Okoronkwo, to jointly review the two salary structures, determine the financial implications and submit clear recommendations to government.
He said the exercise should provide government with accurate figures to enable it to determine the additional resources required and facilitate appropriate approval.
On manpower, Governor Otti advised ABSUTH management to adopt a strategic and gradual recruitment process, prioritising doctors, nurses and other critical healthcare professionals.
He also encouraged the hospital to explore internal redeployment and other available options for filling less-critical positions.
The Governor disclosed that his administration had approved the recruitment of 861 healthcare workers across other levels of healthcare in the state, with 670 already recruited within the previous six months. He said the recruitment exercise remains ongoing.
Otti emphasised that competitive welfare packages are essential to retaining skilled professionals, warning that healthcare workers could migrate to jurisdictions offering better remuneration and working conditions if their welfare is not adequately addressed.
Power supply was another major issue raised during the meeting. Governor Otti directed the Commissioner for Power to engage ABSUTH management and develop a sustainable electricity supply arrangement for the hospital.
He said the availability of Geometric Power should make it possible to provide a more reliable power solution for ABSUTH, considering the critical nature of medical services provided at the institution.
While acknowledging challenges associated with gas availability for Geometric Power, the Governor disclosed that the Niger Delta Power Holding Company had indicated its willingness to collaborate with Geometric Power on an alternative gas supply solution following his engagement with relevant stakeholders.
The development is expected to strengthen the reliability of electricity supply and support the hospital’s medical operations.
Governor Otti also provided an update on the Tesla MRI machine donated to ABSUTH by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, valued at more than $1 million.
He said the state government was working to provide a suitable facility for the installation and operation of the sophisticated diagnostic equipment.
The Governor assured the ABSUTH Board and Management that work was ongoing to improve infrastructure and strengthen the institution’s capacity to provide advanced medical services.
Earlier, ABSUTH Board Chairman, Dr. Ezinne Kalu, presented a report titled “Stabilizing Today: Building the Teaching Hospital Abia Deserves.”
She explained that the report was structured around three key areas: appreciation, evidence and decision. According to her, the Board’s findings showed that public confidence in ABSUTH had improved significantly, moving the institution from a period of institutional rescue into a new phase focused on operational consolidation.
The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Nneka Okoronkwo, commended Governor Otti for his interventions in resolving challenges involving House Officers, Residents and other interns employed by the hospital.
She disclosed that the Governor had approved the payment of intern salaries, settlement of outstanding salaries owed to three ABSUTH staff for two years, payment of MDCAN shortfalls following the centralisation of payments, as well as payments due to staff who had earned promotions.
In his remarks, the Deputy Chairman of the ABSUTH Board and Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. Chuks Kamanu, thanked the Governor for responding to the institution’s requests.
He disclosed that ABSUTH had operated for three consecutive years under Governor Otti without industrial action, describing the development as a significant achievement considering the hospital’s history.
He also reported that the hospital was operating at 100 percent bed occupancy, while doctors were attending to an average of about 100 patients weekly.
Prof. Kamanu further expressed support for the re-election of Governor Otti in the 2027 election, stating that continuity would be beneficial to the institution.
Governor Otti, meanwhile, commended the ABSUTH Board for producing a detailed, evidence-based report that clearly outlined the hospital’s progress, outstanding challenges and financial implications.
He said data-driven reports of this nature would enable government to make more informed decisions and properly allocate resources.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming ABSUTH into a modern tertiary healthcare centre capable of delivering quality and affordable medical services to Abians.
The Secretary to the Abia State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, also joined the Governor in receiving the ABSUTH delegation.
