-Declares Open A 2-Day Free Medical Exercise For Workers
-To enlist all senior staff on state health insurance scheme
The Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Comrade Ini Ememobong, has stressed the need for workers to stay healthy so as to be active and productive at work and in personal endeavours.
Comrade Ememobong, speaking at the opening of a two-day free medical exercise held in the conference hall of the Ministry on Monday, 17 March 2025, at the State Secretariat in Uyo, indicated his commitment to ensuring workers are protected against any form of harm in the cause of their duties.
He said, “The Governor has instituted a health insurance scheme, which is free for all junior staff, and we on our part will pay for the health insurance of the senior staff in the ministry.
“We do know that one of the reasons people get poor is out-of-pocket expenditure for healthcare, so we want to address that by keying into the Governor’s initiative.”
As part of the Ministry’s health support efforts, the Commissioner promised to procure four blood pressure monitors to enable staff to check their blood pressure daily, soliciting their cooperation to be able to serve them well.
The Permanent Secretary, Engr. Udosen Udoh, expressed gratitude on behalf of the staff, acknowledging the commitment of the Commissioner to the welfare of workers in all ramifications.
“We have a leader who thinks well of the staff in all ramifications. Although we may not know completely what is in his mind for us, we know, for him to do this, he really means well for all of us,” he remarked.
Engr. Udo maintained that the free medical exercise would spur workers to give their best, adding that when the ministry does well, it will be an indication that the commissioner is doing well, which will in turn translate into achievements for the State Government.
The permanent secretary encouraged the staff to take advantage of the exercise, emphasising that good health is a key possession in life, and also noted that “this gesture demonstrates the Commissioner Ememobong’s care for his staff’s overall wellbeing.”
On the occasion of the exercise, health tips were delivered by health professionals. Dr. Idoreyin Umoh spoke on maintaining a healthy lifestyle; Dr. Etoro Okon addressed stress management and mental health; and Pharmacist Akan David spoke on drug abuse and misuse.
Commending the initiative by the Commissioner to ensure a healthy life for the workers, the health professionals advised the staff to always take medication based on prescriptions and ensure that drugs are purchased from licensed health facilities.
The high point of the exercise was the general medical checks and issuance of free drugs and eye glasses to the staff.
