Borno
Zulum Approves Recruitment of 473 Health Workers, Introduces Full Rural Allowance for Doctors in Borno
Zulum Approves Recruitment of 473 Health Workers, Introduces Full Rural Allowance for Doctors in Borno
By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has approved the recruitment of 473 healthcare professionals as part of renewed efforts to strengthen medical services across the state’s hospitals and primary healthcare centres.
The approval, which covers doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other essential medical personnel, is aimed at improving access to quality healthcare for residents in both urban and rural communities.
The Chief Medical Director of the Borno State Hospital Management Board, Prof. Abubakar Kullima, disclosed the information while unveiling the recruitment plan over the weekend in Maiduguri.
According to Kullima, the governor directed the board to immediately begin the employment process to address manpower shortages in about a dozen healthcare facilities across the state.
He clarified that the recruitment drive aims to enhance service delivery and guarantee timely and effective medical attention for residents.
“The governor has approved the recruitment of a total of 473 health professionals, including medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other critical healthcare personnel,” Kullima said.
He added that the newly recruited staff would also support operations in several recently established Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) across the state.
Kullima noted that the recruitment package goes beyond conventional medical roles, as it also includes technical and support staff required for specialised services.
According to him, the approval also covers professionals such as primary eye care specialists, peri-operative nurses and Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs), who play vital roles in expanding healthcare services at the grassroots level.
The CMD stated that the Zulum administration is implementing the initiative as part of broader health sector reforms to enhance healthcare delivery throughout Borno.
Recently, the state government has undertaken several interventions aimed at strengthening the medical sector, including the construction and commissioning of new healthcare facilities.
These include specialised centres such as eye and dental hospitals designed to expand access to advanced medical care across Borno’s three senatorial districts.
The state government has also approved special training funds for resident doctors as part of efforts to improve professional capacity and encourage medical personnel to remain in the state’s healthcare system.
To further address the challenge of staffing health facilities in remote areas, Governor Zulum also directed the immediate implementation of a full rural allowance for doctors posted to underserved communities.
The policy aims to offer extra financial incentives to draw qualified medical professionals to rural areas, where healthcare services are frequently scarce.
Similarly, nurses working in hard-to-reach communities will benefit from a 40 per cent rural allowance under the new arrangement.
According to a memo issued to the Borno State Hospital Management Board, the new incentive structure is designed to encourage healthcare workers to accept postings outside Maiduguri and other urban centres.
Officials say the improved welfare package is expected to enhance staff retention significantly and ensure that rural populations have access to skilled medical personnel.
The newly recruited healthcare workers are expected to be deployed to general hospitals and primary health centres across Borno State once the recruitment process is completed.
Health officials believe the initiative will help address longstanding manpower gaps in the state’s health sector and improve overall service delivery for communities recovering from years of insurgency and displacement.