Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has approved the recruitment of 594 medical personnels into the state healthcare sector.
Zulum who announced the recruitment in Maiduguri at the end of a meeting with the State’s public healthcare stakeholders held at the Government said the decision was aimed at drastically increasing the number of healthcare professionals across the State .
The Governor added that the move will also help provide the needed manpower that will match the increase in hospitals and primary healthcare centres in the state, 51 of which were established by his administration.
Governor Zulum explained further that of the 365 nurses and midwives recruited,half were fresh graduates from colleges while the others were retired Nurses and midwives from the state civil service now recruited on contract.
On the 84 medical doctors, the Governor said, some were recruited as permanent staff while some are being engaged on contract and sabbatical services.
Zulum noted that the 45 pharmacists and 100 technicians and supportive staff he approved, would work in laboratories and other diagnostic sections as key components of the health sector.
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Zulum also announced the approval for the State College of Nursing and Midwifery to begin annual foundation programmes that will aim to admit 200 student nurses and midwives annually.
He said the foundation will commence with initial 135 student nurses, with five drawn from each of Borno’s 27 local government areas.
The Governor said the State will however enter agreement with all students who will enjoy steady payment of allowances, that on graduation from colleges, they will not leave the State, until after working in the State’s health sector over a period of time, for which they will be paid like other workers.
Zulum also announced that the State will soon embark on aggressive construction of new staff quarters for doctors, nurses and midwives, to encourage productivity.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kwayabura, pledged the commitment of all stakeholders in the health sector to improved access to quality and affordable medical services in line with Governor Zulum’s development objectives.
The Stakeholders meeting was attended by Chairman of Borno Assembly’s Committee on Health, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Salihu Kwayabura, Chairman, National Association of Nurses and Midwives, Umar M. Shettima, and heads of the State’s Health Management Board, Contributory Health Scheme, and Primary Healthcare Development Agency amongst other stakeholders.
