Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has approved the recruitment and absorption of 1,037 health professionals and support staff to strengthen primary healthcare delivery across Borno State.
The decision forms part of the state government’s broader effort to expand access to quality healthcare services at the grassroots and reinforce frontline medical services in communities across the state.
The Executive Secretary of the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Board, Professor Mohammed Arab Alhaji, disclosed the development, noting that the governor approved the employment and absorption of 985 health professionals and 52 supportive staff into Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) statewide.
He further revealed that the state government also approved the engagement of 341 additional health professionals through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to complement the existing workforce and strengthen service delivery in health facilities.
Arab explained that the initiative aligns with efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage while supporting the health component of the state’s long-term development framework.
According to him, a significant portion of the newly absorbed workers — 859 health professionals of various cadres — were drawn from the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project and redeployed to PHCs across the state.
He added that another 111 health professionals and 52 support staff have been assigned to five health facilities located in Goni Damgari, Wulari, Shuwari, Miringa and Fikayel. In addition, 15 health professionals have been posted to two PHCs in Mobbar Local Government Area to address staffing shortages in the area.
Beyond workforce expansion, the governor also authorised the implementation of the new minimum wage for health workers alongside improved allowances aimed at boosting morale and enhancing productivity within the sector.
In a further push to strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure, the state government has completed the renovation and upgrade of 123 PHCs across Borno. The upgraded facilities have been equipped with solar-powered boreholes, essential medicines and medical consumables.
The revitalisation exercise was carried out through partnerships involving the state government, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Global Fund and the IMPACT Immunisation Programme.
The interventions are part of ongoing efforts by the Zulum administration to rebuild and strengthen healthcare services in communities affected by years of insurgency while ensuring residents, particularly those in rural areas, have improved access to basic and affordable medical care.
