PREMIUM TIMES
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has approved the payment of a Medical Residency Training Fund of N1 million to each resident doctor in the state civil service.
Ekerete Udoh, the spokesperson to the governor, disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo on Wednesday.
According to Mr Udoh, the fund is designed to provide financial support to cover various expenses associated with medical residency training, including costs for the multi-stages of examinations, course fees, research projects, personal equipment and accoutrements.
Mr Udoh said Governor Eno’s approval for the fund would facilitate the doctors’ postgraduate training in specialist skills and qualifications while supporting their careers.
“This would also help produce specialists who will bridge the existing manpower gap, especially at the consultant cadre, across the secondary healthcare facilities and mitigate brain drain in the state,” he said.
He said producing qualified specialists in the different fields of medicine remains a top priority of Mr Eno’s administration.
“As the state gets ready to start the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital, these specialists will provide the needed brain trust to the teaching hospital.
“Quality healthcare service delivery, especially at the primary level, is a key component of the Arise Agenda.
“The Governor has followed through on this, with the construction of and commissioning of model primary healthcare centres in some Local Government Areas, including others that will soon be commissioned.
He said producing qualified specialists in the different fields of medicine remains a top priority of Mr Eno’s administration.
“As the state gets ready to start the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital, these specialists will provide the needed brain trust to the teaching hospital.
“Quality healthcare service delivery, especially at the primary level, is a key component of the Arise Agenda.
“The Governor has followed through on this, with the construction of and commissioning of model primary healthcare centres in some Local Government Areas, including others that will soon be commissioned.