Abia State warns new health workers to be honest and responsible

The Abia State Government has warned new healthcare workers against extortion, absenteeism, and other bad behaviors. They urged the workers to be professional, honest, and caring while doing their jobs.

Eno Jerry-Eze, the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, gave this warning on Thursday at an orientation for 811 new healthcare workers in Umuahia.

The new staff includes doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, dentists, dental therapists, and technologists. They will work in public hospitals and primary healthcare centers across the state.

Jerry-Eze said these workers are not just civil servants. They are “frontline defenders of life.” She pointed out that hiring them shows Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to improving healthcare in the state.

She explained that the recruitment was fair and based on skills. They used modern human resource tools to select candidates who were qualified, regardless of where they come from.

Healthcare professionals were recruited from states like Enugu, Anambra, Gombe, Rivers, Ebonyi, and Ogun.

She encouraged the new workers to see their jobs as a call to serve the public. They must remember that they are now trusted with public health.

Jerry-Eze stressed that integrity, professionalism, compassion, patriotism, and careful management of public resources are the core values expected from all public servants.

She warned against absenteeism, extortion, negligence, and other unethical actions. The government will not accept any misconduct.

“Handle patients, drugs, and public funds honestly. There is zero tolerance for absenteeism, extortion, or negligence under this administration. Do not sell hospital supplies. Do not ask for money before providing services. If you see any wrongdoing, use the whistleblower policy,” she said.

Jerry-Eze also told the workers to take advantage of career growth opportunities within the civil service, including study leave, sabbaticals, and specialist roles.

She mentioned that the government has created a talent database. This database includes qualified candidates who passed tests and interviews but could not be hired right away due to limited positions.

The database will help fill future job openings as they come up.

Benson Ojiekere, the Head of Abia State Civil Service, described the civil service as the backbone of government. He urged the new employees to help with ongoing reforms to improve efficiency and service delivery.

Ojiekere said the current administration is working on a five-year plan to make Abia’s civil service one of the best in Nigeria by focusing on workers’ welfare and efficiency.

“The civil service is the backbone of government. If the civil service works, the nation will work. If the civil service works, the state will work,” Ojiekere said.

Ure Abazie, the Director-General of the Abia State Orientation Agency, also spoke. She asked the healthcare workers to treat patients with respect, empathy, and responsibility.

Abazie urged them to avoid the “Japa” trend and help improve healthcare in Abia.

The event included lectures on civil service rules, code of conduct, career growth, SERVICOM standards, and reforms for better public service delivery.