Ebonyi to absorb 320 IMPACT project contract staff into state health workforce
By Oswald Agwu, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi state government has committed to regularize and integrate 320 health workers engaged on contract by the World Bank-assisted IMPACT Health project into the state workforce upon contract expiration.
Governor Francis Nwifuru made the commitment on Monday while receiving the IMPACT team, led by Dr. Ezire Onoriode, World Bank Task Team Leader for the IMPACT Project, at his office in Centenary City, Abakaliki.
The Governor described the IMPACT project as one of the best World Bank projects in the state, citing its visible achievements in 25 primary health facilities, including infrastructure upgrades, sophisticated medical equipment like MRI and CT Scan machines, and systems improvements.
Governor Nwifuru requested expansion of facilities under the project and assured that the state would sustain and improve upon the recorded results beyond the project’s lifespan.
He pledged to absorb the 320 contracted health workers into the state’s health workforce at the project’s close-out.
“We will take the 320 when the contract ends, and we will absorb them and they will become our staff. We did the same with AMURT, including about 8 medical doctors,” the Governor said.
Dr. Onoriode stated their mission was to intimate the Governor on the project’s achievements and discuss plans for sustaining gains after the project’s expiration in December 2026.
He attributed the project’s success to the Governor’s vision and cooperation, listing achievements such as upgrading 25 primary healthcare centers (90% complete), procurement of CT Scan and MRI machines, and engagement of 320 contract health workers.
He noted that the project has increased service delivery uptake and introduced a sensitization program making traditional birth attendants to refer women to primary healthcare facilities for safer deliveries.
Onoriode urged the state government to fund and sustain the project’s outcomes post-closure.
The meeting also discussed malaria prevention and healthy behaviors.
The IMPACT project aims to reduce maternal and child mortality by enhancing immunization, improving primary healthcare, and strengthening malaria control through digital records and facility upgrades.
