Borno Strengthens Healthcare as Babagana Umara Zulum Employs 1,037 Health Workers, Revitalises 123 PHCs

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the employment and absorption of 1,037 health professionals and support staff to Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state in a move aimed at improving healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.

The approval includes the absorption of 985 health professionals and 52 supportive staff into various PHC facilities across Borno State.

The governor also authorised the engagement of 341 additional health professionals through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to support frontline healthcare workers in different facilities across the state.

The Executive Secretary of the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Board, Mohammed Arab Alhaji, said the initiative is part of the state government’s effort to strengthen healthcare services at the community level.

According to him, the development aligns with the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage and supports the implementation of Pillar Three of the state’s 10-year Strategic Transformative Plan, which focuses on providing accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services to residents.

Prof. Arab explained that 859 health professionals of various cadres were absorbed from the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) into PHC centres across the state.

He added that Governor Zulum also approved the absorption of 111 health professionals and 52 support staff into five PHC centres located in Goni Damgari, Wulari, Shuwari, Miringa, and Fikayel, while 15 additional health professionals were deployed to two facilities in Mobbar Local Government Area.

In addition to the recruitment exercise, the state government has approved the implementation of the new minimum wage alongside enhanced allowances for health workers across the facilities to improve motivation and productivity.

Furthermore, 123 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state have been renovated, revitalised, and upgraded with modern facilities.

These upgrades include the installation of solar-powered boreholes, provision of essential drugs, and medical consumables through collaborations involving the state government, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, IMPACT Immunisation, and the Global Fund.

The initiatives are expected to significantly strengthen the capacity of healthcare facilities across Borno State and improve access to quality medical services for residents, particularly in rural communities.