Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Abia State Civil Service Commission has announced the suspension of the ongoing employment exercise in the health sector, as previously advertised by the Ministry of Health.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Commission’s Chairman, Eno Jerry Eze, assured the public that they would be informed when the recruitment process would resume. “We urge all concerned to remain patient as appropriate updates will be provided in due course,” Eze stated.
Similarly, the Abia State Ministry of Health has recalled the job advertisement it recently placed online for recruiting healthcare workers. The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ifeyinwa Blossom Uma-Kalu, explained that the Ministry does not undertake recruitment without proper clearance.
“We regret any inconvenience caused to applicants who had already shown interest,” Uma-Kalu said, adding that the Ministry would work closely with the Civil Service Commission to ensure future recruitment is well-coordinated.
NMA Urges Immediate Action to Avert Health Crisis
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Abia State Chapter, called on the government to resume the recruitment of the 771 healthcare workers earlier approved by Governor Alex Otti.
In a statement signed by Chairperson Ezimwa Ezuruike and Secretary Clement Ifenkoronye, the association warned that halting the exercise would harm healthcare delivery in the state.
“The situation regarding the health needs of Abia State citizens cannot be made to wait, and even the available staff remains too thin,” the NMA stressed.
The NMA commended Governor Otti’s commitment to strengthening the health sector and urged that future recruitment follow a transparent and professional process.
“We respectfully call on the government not to allow the recruitment to remain stalled further,” the association appealed.
The group noted that Nigeria’s broader health sector faces acute staffing shortages, as professionals continue to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities.
