The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Health has expressed concern over the lack of budgetary allocations for hospitals in the state. During a recent visit to several secondary health facilities, committee chairman Moses Essien, who represents the Ibiono Ibom constituency for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), voiced his disappointment at the situation.

The hospitals inspected included the General Hospital in Awa, the Iquita General Hospital in Oron, and the Immanuel Hospital in Eket. Essien stated that the purpose of the visit was to evaluate the challenges these facilities face and to review how effectively budget funds are being utilized. He referenced the constitutional authority granted to lawmakers to conduct on-site assessments of government facilities, emphasizing the need to ensure affordable healthcare services are being provided.

Essien noted that despite the hospitals not fully accessing their allocated budget funds, the committee would strive to ensure timely release of the approved funds for the 2024 budget. He acknowledged the good condition of the facilities and equipment, as well as their cleanliness, indicating that they are capable of delivering quality healthcare to residents.

During the visit, Francis Inyang, the Chief Medical Superintendent of General Hospital, Awa, highlighted that while the hospital generates approximately N3 million monthly, it only receives N80,000 from the government as support. He pointed out that operational costs differ among hospitals and that maintenance is often a challenge due to delayed government assistance.

At Immanuel General Hospital, Chief Medical Superintendent Idongesit Itaketo reported that the facility operates under the State Government’s Arise Agenda but has not received the expected N10 million allocation, only receiving N200,000 monthly instead. He noted the surgical unit generates between N2.5 million and N3.5 million, while the pharmacy unit earns around N6 million monthly. Challenges such as unreliable power supply, lack of doctor accommodations, and insufficient staffing were also highlighted.

Sabastine Noah, the Chief Medical Superintendent of Iquita General Hospital, reported similar budgetary constraints, receiving just N200,000 monthly, and noted that the anticipated N10 million allocation may have been misallocated to a non-operational dental clinic.

Committee members, including Uduak-obong Ekpo-Ufot, Itoro Etim, and Prince Aniefiok Attah, raised questions about equitable budget allocations across hospitals and the methods used for facility maintenance. The lawmakers emphasized the urgent need for improvements in funding and resources to enhance healthcare services in the state.