The Bauchi State government has approved a new salary structure and enhanced welfare packages for medical doctors and other health workers in an effort to curb the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals abroad.
The Head of Service, Barr. Muhammad Sani Umar, announced the development while briefing journalists on the outcome of the last State Executive Council meeting (SEC) which was presided over by Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir.
The council ratified a comprehensive welfare package that includes housing and car loan schemes, allowances for rural postings, improved security around health institutions, and upgrades to medical equipment and infrastructure, including perimeter fencing around health facilities.
Additionally, the welfare and salary packages for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to state-owned medical facilities have been fully approved for implementation.
According to the Head of Service, the initiative aims to attract and retain skilled health workers within the state.
He noted that Governor Bala Mohammed is concerned about the alarming rate at which doctors and other frontline health workers, such as midwives, are leaving the state, causing a significant manpower shortage.
He revealed that a committee had been set up to investigate the trend and found that inadequate welfare provisions were the major cause of the migration.
“In response, the Council has approved the implementation of a comprehensive salary structure, including the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (COHESS) for all health workers in the state,” he said.
While commending the governor for his efforts, the state commissioner for information and communication, Hon. Shehu Usman Shehu, said that the aim is not only to attract new professionals but also to ensure the retention of existing ones.
This also includes addressing outstanding issues related to the promotion and career advancement of medical officers and pre-service training opportunities.
He added that a dedicated committee would be established to oversee the implementation of the new salary and welfare packages.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, also commented on the development, stating that the governor has lifted the embargo on the recruitment of domiciliary staff and reinstated the pre-service training scheme previously suspended by past administrations.
“With this comprehensive package now in place, our doctors and health workers can enjoy conditions comparable to their counterparts in federal institutions,” he said.
“We are optimistic that this will significantly improve the health sector by providing the necessary manpower and strengthening healthcare delivery across the state.”