Governor employs 84 doctors, 365 nurses, others for Borno hospitals

*Borno State will soon embark on aggressive construction of new staff quarters for doctors, nurses, and midwives, to encourage productivity, says Governor Babagana Zulum

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In a move to ensure the wellbeing of the citizenry and considerably beef up the state’s healthcare system, Governor (Prof.) Babagana Zulum of Borno State has approved 84 medical doctors, 365 nurses and midwives, 45 pharmacists, and 100 health technicians and other support staff, totalling 594 personnel for fresh engagements in the state employ.

Governor Zulum announced the recruitment Monday, in Maiduguri, the state capital, at the end of a meeting with Borno’s public healthcare stakeholders.

Dr. Salihu Kwayabura, Chairman of Borno Assembly’s Committee on Health and Honourable Commissioner for Health; Umar M. Shettima, Chairman, National Association of Nurses and Midwives; and heads of the State’s Health Management Board, Contributory Health Scheme, and Primary Healthcare Development Agency among other stakeholders also attended the meeting at the Government House, says agency report.

Of the 365 nurses and midwives, the Governor explained, half were fresh graduates of colleges while the others were recruited from experienced persons who had retired from the Borno Civil Service after years of serving in hospitals as nurses and midwives.

Zulum said that the new personnel had been recruited on contract.

The Governor said of the 84 medical doctors, some were recruited as permanent staff while some are being engaged on contract and sabbatical services, he stated.

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 administration.

He 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 Borno’s 27 Local Government Areas.

Borno State, however, will enter into an agreement with all students who will enjoy steady payment of allowances, that upon graduation from colleges, Zulum said.

He added that 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.

The governor equally announced that the state would soon embark on aggressive construction of new staff quarters for doctors, nurses, and midwives, to encourage productivity.

Dr. Kwayabura, Honourable Commissioner for Health, 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 for the state.

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