Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has given approval for the recruitment of 1,000 health workers to fill the vacuum in the sector across the state.
Commissioner for Primary Health Care, Dr Ibrahim Dangana, gave the hint in his remarks at the commissioning of a newly built/renovated laboratory and public health centre at Mrs Elizabeth Shaba Maternal/Child Health Clinic in Nyikangbe, Chanchaga Local Council of Niger State.
Dangana noted that the health sector was one of the priorities in the urban renewal initiative of the Bago-led administration, saying, it was in line with that vision that he created Ministry of Primary and Secondary Health Care, to strengthen the sector in the state.
The commissioner said: “With the creation of the Ministry of Primary Health Care, the governor wants to see improved health care facilities at every doorstep of the citizens.” He explained that plans were underway by the government to renovate and equip all primary health care centres across the 274 wards of the state adding that the governor’s initiative was aimed to rank Niger among the top three performing states in terms of health care.
“On assumption of office, one of the very first projects the governor laid the foundation was the remodelling of the old Shiroro Hotel to a state-of-the-art tertiary health facility to Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapi (IBBUL) teaching hospital.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hamidu Jantabo, had challenged council chairmen to implement people-oriented projects to complement the efforts of the state government.
Jantabo explained that the ministry would not hesitate to support any local council that initiates projects to uplift the living standard of the people.
The commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Abubakar Milla, lauded the Chairman, Chanchaga Local Council, Aminu Ladan, for his foresight to provide health care to local communities and urged other chairmen to key into the urban renewal policy of the Bago administration.
Ladan maintained that the council, with the support of multilateral partners, was working towards equipping the primary healthcare facilities to complement the efforts of the state government.
(LEAD)
