Akwa Ibom doctors’ welfare strike threat issued as NMA demands salary review and better conditions at Ibom Specialist Hospital to avoid industrial action
Akwa Ibom doctors’ welfare strike threat looms as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) State Chairman, Dr. Aniekan Peter, warns that doctors may soon strike if their welfare concerns remain unaddressed.
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The warning came on Sunday during the NMA’s 2025 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference Dinner Night held in Uyo.
Dr. Peter called on Governor Umo Eno to urgently establish a committee to review and harmonize the salaries of doctors at Ibom Specialist Hospital.
He stressed that the association is preparing to issue a formal ultimatum if improvements are not made.
“Akwa Ibom State Government should set up a committee to harmonise the salaries of doctors at Ibom Specialist Hospital urgently.
We will soon issue an ultimatum to the government over the poor conditions of service and the salaries of doctors,” Peter said.
He also criticized the Catholic Church’s management of St. Luke Hospital, Anua, suggesting that the church should transfer control to the government if it can no longer manage the facility effectively.
Recalling the past incentives under former Governor Godswill Akpabio, who gave medical doctors cars as motivation, Peter lamented the disappearance of such benefits and appealed to Governor Umo Eno to revive them.
Beyond welfare, the NMA is actively combating high maternal and child mortality rates in the state.
Dr. Peter highlighted ongoing sensitization campaigns across churches in all 31 local government areas, educating the public on maternal health, ambulance services, and the health insurance scheme.
“As of 2025, Nigeria is the worst place to give birth in the world. Your chances of dying from childbirth are very high; we are number one in the world.
We are bent on ensuring that we crash it in Akwa Ibom State,” he said.
Dr. Peter emphasized the need for awareness of available ambulance services and health insurance, noting the partnership with the state Ministry of Health to expand these campaigns, starting from Oron and Ikono to cover all local government areas.
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The looming Akwa Ibom doctors’ welfare strike threat underscores the urgent need for government action to improve conditions and safeguard healthcare delivery in the state.
