Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has promised to employ 84 doctors and 410 nurses, midwives, and pharmacists to effectively run the state hospitals and health centres. According to him, 100 auxiliary staff are to be recruited to complement the efforts of doctors, nurses and midwives in these hospitals. While announcing the recruitment at the Government House, Maiduguri, Zulum said: “To provide affordable and quality healthcare delivery to citizens of Borno State, the government has approved the appointment of 365 nurses. About 50% of them are retired nurses engaged on a contract basis, while the remaining half are fresh graduates of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.”
He added that 84 doctors are also to be employed on a permanent basis, saying: “The other doctors to be engaged are on contract and sabbatical basis. This also includes the ones that will come to the state to work during their leave of absence.”
Addressing the doctors and nurses, he also approved the establishment of a foundation year programme in the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Besides the recruitment of workers, Zulum also announced that about 135 candidates would be admitted into the School of Nursing and Midwifery every year.
On school training facilities, he said: “We shall do everything possible to ensure the provision of basic training facilities and equipment for students and teachers,” adding that in the next three years, about 200 nurses and midwives are expected to graduate.
He assured the state’s health team, led by Commissioner of Health, Dr. Salihu Kwayabura, that stipends would be paid to all students.
He said: “We shall enter into an agreement with students that on their graduation; we’ll recruit them into the health sector,” adding that the government would soon embark on the construction of doctors’ and nurses’ quarters.
He continued: “We shall also increase the carrying capacity of most of our general hospitals,” to provide the needed healthcare delivery services to people.
He, therefore, urged Kwayabura, the Health Management Board; Director of Primary Healthcare Agency; the chairmen of nurses and midwives and doctors’ association; and the Chief of Staff, who is also a pharmacist; Chairman, House Committee on Health, to monitor the implementation of all programmes in the health sector.
Zulum also directed the Hospital Management Board to employ 45 pharmacists and 100 supporting staff.
In his brief remarks, Dr. Kwayabura pledged to go all out to ensure that quality healthcare delivery services are delivered across the state.
He said the gap between the primary and tertiary systems through the secondary healthcare facilities will be closed.
