Chika Otuchikere
The Niger State government has integrated 396 health workers formerly engaged under the UNICEF/GAVI supported programme into the state Ministry of Health.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Murtala Bagana who made this known during the presentation of employment letters to the health workers said they have been absorbed into the state civil,
The commissioner added that the action is aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and address manpower shortage across communities in the state.
Bagana noted that the official unveiling and distribution of appointment letters underscored the government’s commitment to sustaining quality healthcare services at the grassroots level.
Bagana who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Dr. Abdullahi Imam noted that healthcare services take place largely within communities and the facilities serving them.
He disclosed that development partners including UNICEF and GAVI had earlier identified critical shortages in human resources across the state’s healthcare facilities and initiated discussions with the state government to address the challenge.
According to him, “While government may provide modern infrastructure and medical equipment, effective healthcare delivery cannot be achieved without adequate manpower.
“The partners had expressed their willingness to invest in young healthcare professionals and sought assurances from the Niger State Government that beneficiaries of the programme would eventually be integrated into permanent service due to the long-term nature of healthcare needs.
“It should be noted that the previous administration under former Governor Abubakar Bello had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the initiative, while Governor Muhammad Umar Bago reaffirmed the commitment, leading to the eventual absorption of the personnel into the state workforce,” he said.
Bagana disclosed further that the newly employed personnel comprised of nurses, midwives and community health workers who have already spent between two and three years rendering services within various communities and would continue to serve in the same areas where they had built experience and community relationships.
He added that many of them could further their education and rise into higher professional cadres if they so desire.
The Commissioner commended Governor Bago for his continued investment in the health sector, saying that more than 3,000 healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, laboratory scientists and community health workers have so far been recruited within the last three years.
He disclosed that about 116 Level-Two facilities have been upgraded to improve access to services including maternal healthcare, immunisation, nutrition and laboratory services.
The Executive Director of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Inuwa Junaidu, described the absorption of the support staff as evidence of Governor Bago’s dedication to improving healthcare delivery, stressing that “human resources remain essential for efficient service delivery”.
The Programmes Manager Pharm. Daniel Jiya, described the event as the successful outcome of a three-year journey marked by determination and collaboration among stakeholders.
He urged the newly absorbed staff to regard their appointments as a privilege, and charged them to adhere strictly to civil service regulations.
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