The Bauchi State Government has recruited 850 new personnel to address manpower 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 necessary to fill vacancies created by the retirement, death and voluntary exit of healthcare workers from the state service.
He said the government had adopted a phased approach to strengthening the workforce, noting that Governor Bala Mohammed had earlier approved the engagement of 151 volunteer workers.
The chairman also disclosed that another 175 health workers, including nurses, midwives and community health workers, had been approved for employment and would soon resume duties.
Mohammed said the board later sought approval to replace workers who had left the service, leading to the government’s approval for the recruitment of 850 personnel.
“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 new workers were distributed among the 20 local government areas based on their manpower needs and the number of workers who had exited the service.
According to him, Misau, Kirfi and Warji received fewer replacement slots because they recorded relatively low numbers of retirements. Misau recorded 18 retirements, while Kirfi and Warji recorded 18 and 19, respectively.
He said the board’s headquarters received 92 personnel, while allocations to the various 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 engagement letters marking the final stage of the recruitment exercise.
Addressing the recruits, he said their appointment came with the responsibility of improving healthcare services for residents, particularly those who depend on primary healthcare facilities.
“As from today, you officially become staff of the Bauchi State Government,” Mohammed told them, urging the new workers to be committed to their duties and provide quality services to the people.
He commended Governor Bala Mohammed for approving the recruitment, saying the move demonstrated the administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery across the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the board, Samaila Itimiya Liman, urged the recruits to take their appointments seriously and comply with their official schedules and responsibilities.
Liman said the new employees were selected after undergoing the required validation and documentation processes, adding that they should see their appointment as an opportunity to serve the people.
Some of the recruits expressed appreciation to the state government for the opportunity, pledging to work diligently to improve primary healthcare delivery across Bauchi State.
Bauchi recruits 850 health workers to address manpower shortage