Otti Directs Salary Harmonization for ABSUTH Medical Staff

On Thursday, October 5, 2023, Abia State Governor Alex Otti directed the immediate harmonization of the 2023 and 2025 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for medical staff at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) in Aba. This directive followed a progress report from the ABSUTH Board and Management, led by Board Chairman Dr Ezinne Kalu.

Otti emphasized the importance of healthcare professionals' welfare and stated that his administration is committed to investing in the health sector, allocating 15 percent of the state’s annual budget to healthcare. He noted that the implementation of the 2023 CONMESS structure would have provided better salaries for Abia health workers compared to their Federal counterparts.

Otti instructed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeyinwa Uma-Kalu, and the Chief Medical Director of ABSUTH, Prof Nneka Okoronkwo, to collaborate on harmonizing the salary structures and submit recommendations for action.