State of Emergency and Akwa Ibom’s Health Future

State of Emergency and Akwa Ibom’s Health Future

By Otobong Sampson

It is early days still but the future holds great promise for the health sector of Akwa Ibom State. On September 13, 2025, following a rattling incident in a government general hospital, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno moved decisively and declared a State of Emergency for twelve months in the state’s health sector. A ringing decision, it is intended to clean and reposition it for better delivery.

The health sector has come under hard scrutiny lately. This include facilities, equipment and personnel. Another truth in juxtaposition is that Governor Eno, even before these scrutinies, had begun putting in the works in effecting the required changes.

Already, some primary health centers in the rural communities have been remodeled and upgraded to serve better the health needs of the people. This list include communities of Udung Uko, Ika, Ibesikpo, Utu Ikot Okpo-Etim Ekpo, Essien Udim Local Government Areas — as well as the urban centre of Uyo.

Other medical facilities like the General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, have received significant interventions including a new hemodialysis unit, refurbished Accident & Emergency, and Pediatric wards — as well as several other upgrades. In Ukanafun, work at the General Hospital towards giving it life is progressing at impressive rate.

In Ikot Ekpene, government had unveiled plans to establish hemodialysis units in the ten federal constituencies of the state to battle rising cases of renal failure. This is a huge investment in health and mirrors the Governor’s intentional approach to quality healthcare delivery.

Among other aims, the emergency declaration seeks to achieve continuous upgrade of existing hospitals and primary healthcare centers across the state, and modernisation of health training institutions for efficiency in capacity.

It will also reform and digitize drug distribution system. 2000 new competent hands will be employed into the sector to mitigate the challenge of insufficient healthcare personnel. This is even as government also plans to re-engage, on contract basis, retired professionals who are willing to come out of retirement to serve.

The proposed 8-storey international hospital which will form part of the Ibom medical corridor is intended to provide world-class medical services. On completion and alongside the Ibom Specialist Hospital, it will raise Akwa Ibom’s position to a top spot on medical tourism.

On September 20, 2024, the administration launched a health insurance scheme to deepen access to quality and affordable healthcare at the primary and secondary levels. Under the ARISECare launched in January 2024, senior citizens are granted access to quality healthcare at zero cost. This year, the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency was awarded the “Fastest Growing Agency in Healthcare Coverage in 2025”, underscoring Governor Eno’s impacts in the sector.

Across Nigeria and most of Saharan Africa, inadequate healthcare infrastructure and staffing remain key challenges. Many rural communities suffer from lack of access to well-equipped hospital and professional care. According to statistics, in some Nigerian states, the doctor-to-patient ratio is as high as 1 doctor per 5,000 patients. This is wide off WHO recommendation of 1 – 600.

It is in the foregoing that the decision and efforts by Governor Eno to strengthen the primary healthcare system and reform the state’s health sector will be better appreciated. The Governor has shown himself willing to commit more funding towards infrastructure, medical training and staffing. With the future becoming clear, Akwa Ibom’s healthcare sector presents tremendous opportunities for innovation and investment. With the right steps under the leadership of Governor Eno, the state will definitely improve its health outcomes and build a system that benefits all.