Uwemedimo Udousoro Questions Consultant Doctor’s Dual Appointment Amid Neglect Allegations
Background
1. Dr. George Bassey is an employee of the Akwa Ibom State Government under the Hospitals Management Board.
2. He was granted approval for in-service training, during which his full salaries and entitlements were paid consistently by the Akwa Ibom State Government throughout the eight (8) years of his postgraduate training. This was in line with Public Service Rules, which stipulate a mandatory service payback period of one (1) to two (2) years for every year spent on such sponsored training.
3. Upon his return, his Medical Superintendent repeatedly reported his truancy and absenteeism.
4. In June 2025, shortly after the appointment of a new Commissioner for Health and the re-organization of service delivery at Immanuel General Hospital (his duty post), he contacted the Honourable Commissioner requesting a dedicated Olympus Microscope and a Haematology Analyzer. These were provided, even though a functional microscope already existed in the laboratory—this was done to accommodate him in recognition of his status as a Consultant.
5. Subsequently, he alleged that Medical Laboratory Scientists were obstructing him from performing his duties due to JOHESU-related disputes. In response, the Honourable Commissioner, accompanied by the Permanent Secretaries of the State Ministry of Health and the Akwa Ibom State Hospitals Management Board, visited the hospital on a fact-finding mission. Despite being the originator of the complaint and being duly informed of the visit, Dr. Bassey absented himself. Findings from the visit revealed he was not at his duty post, and his claims were false—intended to cover up his absenteeism.
6. When later questioned by the Honourable Commissioner over the phone, he alleged salary delays. Investigations by the Permanent Secretary, HMB, confirmed he had been fully paid without omission.
7. A formal query was issued to him by the Permanent Secretary, HMB. Rather than respond, Dr. Bassey tendered a resignation letter, which was not accepted, after which he became unreachable and incommunicado.
8. Dr George is not alone. A similar scenario played out with Dr UduakAbasi Ita.
8. The matter was escalated to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State Branch, which also could not trace or engage him. I am reliably informed the NMA EXCO announced their names on the NMA WhatsApp platform inviting the doctors for a behind the scene dialogue opportunity to no avail.
9. Reports subsequently indicated that he had taken up another full-time government appointment, contrary to Public Service Rules, while still holding his substantive post under the Akwa Ibom State HMB.
10. On 15th September 2025, after all efforts to reach him failed, the Ministry of Health declared him Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL). That same day, it was reported that Dr. Bassey appeared briefly at the Ministry after official hours and made a video call during which he stated that he is currently employed by the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
Considerations
Strict adherence to Public Service Rules and extant laws is crucial for restoring discipline in the civil service and safeguarding the integrity of the medical profession.
Just 2 weeks ago, we lost a woman and her baby at General Hospital Ikot Ekpene because a doctor paid by Govt was not at his duty post. 2 weeks earlier, we had also lost another woman and her baby at General Hospital Etinan for the same reason of a doctor not being present at his duty post.
Should the Commissioner now wait for another death to happen due to the absenteeism of both medical doctors (who are both consultants by the way) before taking action?
Shouldn’t we commend the Commissioner for his boldness in tackling what his predecessors covered up because their colleagues were involved- doctors staying away from their duty posts in pursuit of money instead of saving lives during official work hours?
It is in this spirit of inquiry and wanting the best for our state that we must interrogate issues.
Interrogation
In view of the foregoing, can we ask some salient questions?
1. Are all the above true?
2. Is it true Dr. George Bassey currently holds an appointment with the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, and can he tell Akwa Ibomites when he was employed and share the employment letter on social media?
2. If confirmed, can the hospital take immediate steps to suspend or terminate his appointment with your institution and direct him to properly disengage from his primary employer, the Akwa Ibom State Hospitals Management Board, where he has unresolved disciplinary matters after over thirteen (13) years of service (including eight [8] years of paid training).
