Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno state has approved the engagement of 84 medical doctors, 365 nurses and midwives, 45 pharmacists and 100 health technicians and other supportive staff, making 594 personnel being added to the states healthcare sector.
Zulum announced the recruitment today at Government House, Maiduguri at the end of a meeting with Bornos public healthcare stakeholders attended by Chairman of Borno Assemblys Committee on Health, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Salihu Kwayabura, Chairman, National Association of Nurses and Midwives, Umar M. Shettima, and heads of the States Health Management Board, Contributory Health Scheme, Primary Healthcare Development Agency amongst other stakeholders.
Of the 365 nurses and midwives, the Governor explained, half were fresh graduates of colleges while the remaining ones were recruited from experienced persons who had retired from the Borno civil service after years of serving in hospitals as nurses and midwives.
According to him, all of them would serve as contract staff.
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.
The Governor said the far reaching decision, aimed to drastically increase the number of healthcare professionals across Borno State so as to bridge existing gaps in citizens-doctors and nurses ratio, and to eventually match the increase of hospitals and primary healthcare centres in the state, 51 of which were established by the his administration.
Zulum also announced that he had given 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 Bornos 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 States health sector over a period of time, for which they will be paid like other workers.
According to Zulum, the State would 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 towards improving access to quality and affordable medical services in line with Governor Zulums development objectives.
