Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health has initiated disciplinary action against a medical doctor and the Head of Pharmacy attached to Cottage Hospital, Ukana in Essien Udim Local Government Area following allegations of administrative and professional breaches revealed during a recent inspection of the facility.
The decision to refer the two health officials to the state’s disciplinary committee was confirmed after Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, the Commissioner for Health, inspected the hospital alongside ministry officials and hospital management during a routine oversight visit. The inspection was reportedly prompted by complaints tracked by the Ministry’s Ombudsman Unit, a body created to monitor and resolve service delivery issues within health facilities across the state.
According to the briefing by the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Ekong Etiebet, the doctor identified as Dr. Matthias Etim was absent from duty while on call and allegedly failed to respond to formal queries issued in compliance with civil service regulations. The lack of response to these official inquiries prompted the hospital management to escalate the matter to the Ministry of Health, leading to the referral for disciplinary proceedings.
In addition to the attendance issue, the Head of Pharmacy at the hospital was criticised for significant lapses in pharmaceutical accounting and inventory control. During the inspection, ministry officials reportedly discovered that the pharmacy unit failed to produce essential statutory records, including stock registers, inventory logs and documentation of indebtedness — basic requirements necessary for proper pharmaceutical management in a public health facility.
Reacting to the findings, Commissioner Dr. Ekem John expressed concern over what he described as “serious red flags” exposed by the probe and emphasised that such misconduct undermines efforts to strengthen the state’s health system. He directed that the officials appear before the Senior Staff Management Committee of the Hospitals Management Board to face interrogation and appropriate disciplinary action. The minister also ordered the redeployment of the Head of Pharmacy to another government facility pending administrative review.
The disciplinary process is expected to run under the framework of the state’s civil service rules and professional guidelines, with the ministry insisting on strict adherence to due process. Officials said they expect a comprehensive report from the disciplinary committee by the end of next week, which will form the basis for any sanctions or corrective measures.
The development comes amid wider efforts by the Akwa Ibom State Government to address recurring complaints about service standards, personnel conduct and ethical compliance in public health institutions. The Ministry’s Ombudsman Unit, which flagged issues at Cottage Hospital Ukana, was established as part of reforms following a state of emergency declaration in the health sector aimed at delivering more responsive and accountable healthcare services.
Cottage Hospital Ukana, like many other rural health facilities in Akwa Ibom, serves a broad catchment of residents who rely on it for basic medical care, emergency services, and pharmaceutical support. The hospital’s performance and management integrity are considered essential for maintaining community trust and improving overall health outcomes in the region.
Community reactions have been mixed since the news emerged. While some residents welcomed the government’s stance on enforcing professional standards, others expressed concern about potential disruptions to services, especially if senior medical personnel are suspended or removed. There were also calls for transparency and swift resolution of the matter to ensure that patient care remains uninterrupted.
Healthcare analysts note that disciplinary actions in public hospitals — particularly when they involve accusations of unprofessional conduct — highlight the broader challenge of strengthening institutional governance in Nigeria’s health sector. They argue that clear accountability mechanisms and robust supervisory frameworks are crucial not only for service quality but also for boosting public confidence in government health facilities.
The Ministry of Health has assured the public that services at Cottage Hospital Ukana will continue as normal while the disciplinary process unfolds. It also reiterated its commitment to upholding professional and ethical standards among all health workers in the state as part of broader health system improvement initiatives led by the current administration.
Further updates are expected once the disciplinary committee concludes its review and releases its findings, which may include recommendations for sanctions, retraining, or further administrative reforms.
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