Eno’s Health Reforms Delivering Results - Ekem John

Eno’s Health Reforms Delivering Results - Ekem John

Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, has highlighted far-reaching reforms and investments by the Governor Umo Eno administration in the health sector, saying the interventions have significantly strengthened healthcare delivery, accountability and access across the state.

Dr. John, who spoke during a ministerial press briefing at Government House, Uyo, on Thursday, August 27, 2026, said the administration was deliberately building a resilient, accessible, affordable and high-quality health system capable of responding effectively to the needs of the people.

The Commissioner said one of the major achievements of the administration was the introduction of stronger accountability mechanisms across the health sector, including systematic facility monitoring, performance indicators for hospital managers and mandatory reporting of every hospital mortality within 48 hours.

He explained that the reforms had helped improve service delivery and institutional accountability.

He disclosed that the government had also strengthened disease surveillance and trained over 1,000 skilled health workers and community surveillance officers, contributing to improved health security across the state.

On maternal and child healthcare, Dr. John urged the media to intensify public enlightenment against the dangers of patronising traditional birth attendants, particularly where complications arise. He noted that Governor Eno’s introduction of free maternal care, including free Caesarean sections for eligible women, alongside health insurance coverage for pregnancy and child immunisation, had removed a major financial barrier to safe motherhood.

Dr. John also highlighted major investments in medical equipment and critical healthcare infrastructure, including two new CT scan machines and the acquisition of an advanced 1.5 Tesla helium-free MRI machine.

He said the new technology was deliberately chosen to reduce the maintenance and power-related challenges associated with conventional MRI machines.

He further disclosed that the state now has three medical oxygen production plants serving the three senatorial districts, while several general hospitals and primary healthcare centres are being constructed, renovated, remodelled and equipped.

According to him, 19 new model primary healthcare centres have been completed, while 29 existing facilities have been renovated across the state.

Futhermore, the Commissioner described the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System as one of the administration’s most enduring healthcare legacies, noting that the system had transformed emergency response from merely transporting patients to hospitals to bringing the health system directly to emergency victims.

He said the service currently operates 31 ambulances, including mobile intensive care, advanced life support and basic life support ambulances, supported by a 24-hour emergency operations centre with GPS-tracked ambulances.

Since inception, Dr. Ekem disclosed that the service had responded to 2,605 emergency calls, transported 1,404 patients and carried out about 1,900 field stabilisations, with response time in urban areas now reduced to under 10 minutes in many cases.

Dr. John also disclosed that over 230,000 residents had enrolled in the state’s health insurance scheme within 18 months, with 622,000 patient consultations recorded across accredited facilities. He said 3,414 women had delivered vaginally at no cost, while 1,808 Caesarean sections had been performed under the scheme, alongside other surgeries and eye-care services.

The Commissioner’s presentation came as the state prepares to commission 39 projects across the 10 Federal Constituencies between September 1 and 30, with the projects cutting across healthcare, roads, education and tourism.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah disclosed that 39 projects executed by the administration would be commissioned across the state between September 1 and 30 as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary.

He said the projects cut across roads, healthcare, education and tourism, with the ARISE Palm Resort on Brooks Street among the major projects lined up.

Umanah also disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected in the state as special guest of honour and would unveil some of the projects during the anniversary celebrations.

Umanah further said the anniversary programme would include a state inter-denominational thanksgiving service on September 20 at the International Christian Worship Centre, Uyo, and a state banquet at the ARISE Palm Resort on September 23.