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From Isaac Job, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, has announced the deployment of a biometric attendance and electronic access control system at the Ministry’s headquarters as part of reforms to strengthen staff discipline, enhance workplace safety and improve operational accountability.
Speaking during a safety audit visit by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor Umo Eno on Health, Safety and Environment, Mrs. Jayne Ufot with safety professionals, Dr. John explained that the biometric monitoring system currently being test-run at the Ministry’s headquarters, is designed to regulate access into the building, track staff attendance in real time and improve emergency response coordination.
According to him, all entrance to the Ministry are now fitted with electronic access doors linked to an automated time-book system adding that staff members are required to use personalized identification cards to unlock the doors and verify their presence through biometric thumbprint authentication upon entry and exit.
“When you arrive at the Ministry, your staff ID card opens the automated doors, and your thumbprint records your time of arrival.
“When leaving, you repeat the process. In the event of any emergency or there is a security concern, we can identify who was present and who granted access. This is not just about discipline; it is about safety.”
John noted that while majority of health workers in the state are diligent and committed, there were cases of staff truancy which occasionally posed challenges, particularly in health facilities where absenteeism can have serious consequences on patients.
He emphasized that the biometric system will enable remote monitoring of attendance across facilities when fully implemented, eliminating the need for physical supervision and ensure compliance with work schedules.
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He explained that the reform in health sector declared by the governor Umo Eno will be expanded in phases to general hospitals and primary healthcare centres across the state.
arlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Safety and Environment, Mrs. Jayne Ufot, said the audit was in furtherance of Governor Eno’s commitment to entrench a culture of safety and institutional responsibility across the public service.
Ufot disclosed that the overall goal of the exercise is to ensure that workplaces adhere to acceptable health and safety standards and commended the commissioner for maintaining high safety standards, noting that the team was satisfied with the overall condition and operational outlook of the facility.
“Once the onboarding process for the newly recruited Safety Officers is concluded, two officers will be deployed to each Ministry .I hope that the officers will play a critical role in strengthening compliance through periodic safety briefings, routine inspections and continuous sensitization of staff”.
