In a bid to tackle the ongoing shortage of healthcare professionals in hospitals across Niger state, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has implemented a new directive to waive employment procedures for qualified doctors and other healthcare workers.
The announcement was made by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Binta Mamman during a media briefing held after the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House.
The decision came as the state government acknowledged the severe impact the dearth of healthcare workers has had on efficient service delivery in the healthcare sector.
The commissioner noted that to address this pressing issue, the government is currently assessing the extent of the manpower shortage in various departments within the healthcare sector, adding that this assessment would enable them to determine the exact number of healthcare professionals required to bridge the gap effectively.
It was reported how the brain drain of health professionals across Niger state was affecting health service delivery.
It would be recalled that there has been an embargo on employment across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the past eight years.
According to Mamman, the waiver aims to expedite the hiring process, allowing qualified doctors and healthcare professionals to join hospitals across the state stating that it would further enhance the quality of healthcare services provided to the citizens of Niger State by ensuring that their medical needs are met efficiently and effectively.
The commissioner further said that Governor Umar Bago has issued directives to ensure full implementation of the executive ban on illegal mining in the state and the revival of the monthly sanitation program with effect from September.