By MOHAMMED BABA BUSU

The Niger State Government has approved the immediate recruitment of 1,000 health workers and automatic replacement of all retired health workers in the state.

The state Commissioner for Primary Health Care, Dr Ibrahim Dangana, stated this at a news conference on Wednesday in government house, Minna.

He said the administration of Gov. Umar Bago is taking steps to ensure the provision of accessible, qualitative and affordable health care service across the state.

The commissioner said that the major challenge in the health sector in the state was manpower deficit, adding that the deficit would be covered to provide adequate antenatal care services.

“Family planning services and also strengthens referral systems across all primary health care (PHC) centres in the state.

“A proper monitoring team will be channeled to all PHCs in the state, with the aim of correcting all forms of illegalities in the sector, to meet the yearnings and expectations of the citizens” he said

The commissioner reiterated the determination of the government to ensure efficient, and effective health care delivery in the state by providing the needed manpower and facilities.

He said that the state government will build and equip a state-of-the-art Emergency Operation Centre (EOP) in Minna, to coordinate and monitor vital services at PHCs across the State.

Dangana said that the ministry was working closely with the Ministry of Works, to come up with technical and structural drawings which will be forwarded to the Planning Commission for sourcing of funds.

The commissioner said the State Government has given the ministry a nod to rehabilitate dysfunctional and upgrade some Primary Healthcare Centres.

He said the Government has approved the resuscitation of scholarships for Medical Students, and bond programmes as measures to address the brain drain syndrome of medical practitioners.

Dangama disclosed that the state government would continue to strengthen ties with development Partners, as the state presently has principal MOU with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation among others.

He said the Ministry of Primary Health Care would not relent in providing affordable, accessible and qualitative primary health care services to the people of the state. (NAN)

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