The Bauchi State Government has recruited 850 healthcare personnel to address staffing shortages in primary healthcare centres across the state.
The Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, disclosed this on Friday during an orientation and documentation exercise for the new recruits at the board’s headquarters in Bauchi.
Mohammed said the recruitment was aimed at filling vacancies created by the retirement, death and voluntary exit of healthcare workers from the state service.
He said the recruitment formed part of a phased effort by the government to strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce. Governor Bala Mohammed had earlier approved the engagement of 151 volunteer workers, while another 175 health workers, including nurses, midwives and community health workers, had also been approved for employment.
According to Mohammed, the board subsequently sought approval to replace workers who had left the service, resulting in the government’s approval to recruit 850 personnel across the state.
“With the support of the local government chairpersons at the time, some of whom are still serving while others have since left, we were able to secure the governor’s approval to engage 850 staff across the state,” he said.
He explained that the recruits were allocated among the state’s 20 local government areas based on staffing needs and the number of workers who had exited the service. The board’s headquarters received 92 personnel, while allocations to the local government areas ranged from 46 to 70 workers.
Mohammed said the board had completed the verification and documentation of the successful applicants, with the presentation of appointment letters marking the final stage of the exercise. He urged the recruits to remain committed to their duties and provide quality healthcare to residents, particularly those who rely on primary healthcare facilities.
The board’s Permanent Secretary, Samaila Itimiya Liman, also urged the new employees to take their appointments seriously and adhere to their official schedules and responsibilities. Some of the recruits thanked the state government for the opportunity and pledged to contribute to improved primary healthcare delivery across Bauchi State.
