The Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has presented an Award of Distinguished Leadership and Outstanding Contributions to Healthcare Delivery to the Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, describing him as a leader who has made “a real and measurable difference in the lives of health workers and the citizens of Enugu State.”

The award was presented to the governor by the National President of MHWUN on behalf of the Enugu State Council of MHWUN and union representatives at the Government House, Enugu, on Wednesday evening.

The union predicated the award on what it described as massive infrastructural transformation in the health sector, including the construction of 260 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres across the 260 political wards of the state, the nearly completed 300-bed ultramodern Enugu International Hospital, and the revamping of secondary healthcare facilities.

They also hailed the governor for extensive reforms in the health sector and the turnaround in the welfare of health workers in the state.
Speaking, Mbah said his administration was well aware of the central place of a healthy population and workforce in his drive to grow Enugu State’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.

Consequently, he said the administration had budgeted/spent over 50 per cent of the state’s total budget in three budgetary cycles on education and health.

“In the area of health workers’ welfare, which is of direct and critical interest to our union, Your Excellency approved the full, 100 per cent, implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for medical and health workers, a long overdue step that has brought relief and dignity to our workers.

MEANWHILE, Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare sector, assuring medical professionals of sustained collaboration and support to improve service delivery across the state.

Receiving members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River State Chapter, who paid him a courtesy visit in his conference room, the governor expressed delight at the recognition of his administration’s efforts in the medical ecosystem.

“I am happy because it is one thing to do something, and it is also important for different actors to appreciate it,” he said, noting that such acknowledgement inspires the government to do more.

Otu commended the association for upholding professional values, describing integrity, transparency, and honesty as indispensable pillars in the health sector.

“These are values I hold dearly—integrity, transparency, honesty, and a sincere consideration of problems. I know you will not let me down,” he told the delegation, while urging them to remain steadfast in their duties.

The governor acknowledged the association’s concerns, assuring them that his administration would continue to engage to address the issues comprehensively. “You have raised some important matters here.