AKHA Health Committee Raises Alarm Over Failing Secondary Healthcare System

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Health has raised serious concerns over the deteriorating state of secondary healthcare facilities in the state, warning that urgent intervention is needed to avert further loss of lives.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Moses Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, made the remarks during an oversight visit to General Hospitals in Etinan and Uruan Local Government Areas on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

At Methodist General Hospital, Ikot Ebiyak, Etinan, Essien condemned the acute shortage of doctors, citing the tragic death of a woman on August 16, 2025, after investigations revealed that no doctor was on duty at the time.

“This underscores the importance of Governor Umo Eno’s plan to recruit more medical practitioners as a timely response to the manpower crisis in our health sector,” Essien said.

He also faulted the hospital’s sanitary conditions and lamented the absence of critical facilities such as an X-ray unit and a functional laboratory, despite the hospital generating between ₦600,000 and ₦900,000 monthly but receiving only ₦130,000 as subvention.

The hospital’s Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS), Dr. Jeremiah Okoro, expressed optimism that government’s intervention would address staff and equipment shortages.

At Qua Iboe Leprosy Hospital, Ekpene Obom, the CMS, Dr. Udeme Akpan, highlighted persistent challenges including poor theatre conditions, lack of electricity, and inadequate funding for the humanitarian mission which treats leprosy patients at no cost. He appealed for urgent government support.

Similarly, at Methodist General Hospital, Ituk Mbang, Uruan, CMS Dr. Aniekan Umoh disclosed that while the hospital remits ₦1.2 million monthly to the government, it receives only ₦120,000 in subvention. He listed lack of accommodation, absence of a blood bank, and shortage of scanning machines for maternal and childcare services among critical needs.

The committee commended the NGO, Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), for equipping the hospital with a laboratory, and urged more public-private partnerships to strengthen healthcare delivery.

Hon. Essien reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to intensifying oversight functions, stressing that secondary healthcare facilities must be adequately equipped to serve the people effectively.

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