Posting Medical Doctors To Other Ministries Misfit In Akwa Ibom

…Governor Orders Immediate Recall

By Patrick Titus, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has observed the posting of medical doctors in the state public service to ministries other than where their professional skills are needed is a misfit.

Gov. Eno who recently declared a state of emergency in the health sector of the state, however, ordered the immediate recall of all medical doctors posted to other ministries in different capacities across the state.

Speaking at the official opening of the state government pavilion at the Christmas Village, Uyo, the Governor said posting medical doctors to ministries where their professional skills are not needed could make them lose their professional competence and expertise.

He said as government is revamping the health sector, there is a pressing need for more doctors but despite the shortage of medical professionals, some are currently assigned administrative roles in other ministries, a situation that would now be rectified by the administration.

In another development, the Governor who toured different stands by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, was also moved by compassion when a young graduate and an orphan, Miss Abigail Okon, was introduced to him by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.

The Governor directed the Head of Civil Service, Mrs Elsie Peters to offer her an appointment with the State Civil Service to encourage her and motivate others who have a seemingly low background, stressing that nature or place of birth should not be allowed to determine one’s destiny.

Making reference to the birth of Jesus in the manger, he said “anyhow you were born, you have a destiny. Don’t mind what people say or may say about you.”

Speaking on the government pavilion, Governor Eno said it was an avenue for the different MDAs to showcase their products and services, stressing that it wouldn’t have been proper for the MDAs not to have stands at the Christmas Village, especially given the large number of people who visit the Christmas village on a daily basis.

He commended the different MDAs for their good outing, and for doing a lot to promote the ARISE Agenda.

Narrating her ordeal, Miss Okon said she was born in Aminu Kano Hospital, Kano State and given the sad death of her mother after birth, the father wanted to kill her because she was tagged a witch, but sent her to his brother in Oron.

She said after several unsuccessful attempts by the uncle to kill her, they gave her to a driver to be thrown under a bridge, and she was eventually thrown into a river in Oron, where she was rescued and handed over to government.

Abigail said since then been under the care of government, went through primary and post- primary schools as well as university education.

She appreciated the Governor for the show of love and compassion and prayed that God will continue to bless the Governor and the State.