Akwa Ibom Government Releases 2025 Health Funds to Boost Statewide Care

Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has authorised the immediate release of the 2025 health counterpart funds to support a range of public health initiatives across the state.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, said the funding will be used to boost programmes including health insurance, primary healthcare, immunisation, family planning, and nutrition.

Dr. John explained that the governor signed off on the funds to ensure they are available before the end of January 2026, giving the health ministry the resources needed to begin work promptly in these critical areas.

The commissioner also outlined the ministry’s priorities for the year, which include improving health infrastructure, enhancing staff welfare, and strengthening service delivery to achieve better health outcomes.

He noted progress in disease control areas such as tuberculosis, where new portable X‑ray machines will allow free X‑rays for suspected cases at selected facilities.

On HIV/AIDS, Dr. John said reporting has improved, with around 168,000 people now identified as living with the virus, a reduction from earlier figures due in part to an audit that eliminated double‑counting.