The Abia State Government has warned its 811 newly recruited healthcare workers against extortion, absenteeism, negligence and other forms of professional misconduct, urging them to uphold integrity, compassion and excellence in the discharge of their duties.
The warning was issued by the Chairperson of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Eno Jerry-Eze, during an orientation programme held in Umuahia for the newly employed healthcare professionals.
The recruits include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, medical laboratory scientists, dental therapists and technologists who have been deployed to public hospitals and primary healthcare centres across the state.
Mrs. Jerry-Eze said the recruitment exercise was conducted through a transparent, merit-based process using modern human resource procedures, stressing that successful candidates were selected strictly on competence, regardless of their state of origin.
She noted that the recruitment reflects Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in Abia State and described the new employees as frontline defenders of lives entrusted with public confidence.
The commission chairperson urged the workers to demonstrate professionalism, patriotism, accountability and prudent management of public resources, warning that the government has zero tolerance for unethical practices.
She cautioned the workers against demanding illegal payments from patients, diverting hospital consumables or engaging in absenteeism and negligence, encouraging them to utilise the state’s whistleblower policy to report misconduct.
Mrs. Jerry-Eze also informed the recruits that qualified applicants who were not employed due to limited vacancies have been placed in a talent database for consideration in future recruitment exercises.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Service, Mr. Benson Ojiekere, described the civil service as the engine room of government and called on the new employees to support ongoing reforms aimed at improving efficiency and public service delivery.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Abia State Orientation Agency, Mr. Ure Abazie, urged the healthcare workers to treat patients with dignity, empathy and professionalism, while encouraging them to remain in the country and contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system instead of seeking opportunities abroad.
