Worried by the shortage of medical doctors across Niger State in North-Central Nigeria, the State Government has signed an engagement bond with no fewer than 60 indigenous students to absorb them into state civil service.
The 60 student doctors are to complement the overstretched existing medical doctors across the state-owned hospitals, after the completion of their studies.
In 2022, over 200 medical doctors left the services of Niger State Government for greener pastures, leaving a huge gap, with one medical doctor attending to over 100 patients in some cases.
It is because of this that the State Government is taking a step to bridge the gap, by wooing the 60 medical students with employment bond agreements.
This is coming barely two months after the State Government employed 1,000 health workers in the state civil service, to address the shortage of health personnel in hospitals and primary healthcare centres across the state.
MUST READ: Tinubu congratulates first female Mexican President
Speaking at the official signing of the engagement bond into the civil service between the Niger State Government and the medical students who are at the clinical stage in various health tertiary institutions across the country, Governor Umar Bago, said the need to engage the student doctors has become necessary, following the shortage of manpower in the area of medical doctors in the state.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Yakubu Garba, said that the initiative will surely bridge the existing gap in the health sector, in terms of medical doctors.
The Governor further disclosed that the State Government has also made arrangements with universities in India to train medical doctors, engineers, and ICT students, to address shortage in the areas.
The State Head of Service, Abubakar Salisu, disclosed that the Governor had approved the engagement of the 60 student doctors in October 2023, but that it was delayed, to ensure proper screening of those to be engaged.
He pointed out that the target of the government is to engage no fewer than 120 doctors in the state civil service, before the end of this year, in order to address the gaps created, following the exit of over 200 doctors from the civil service two years ago.
Some of the student doctors expressed happiness over the gesture of the State Government, saying they were ready to give their best, and contribute towards effective service delivery.
The student doctors who will be absorbed into the civil service, will enjoy the full salary of a medical doctor under grade 10, until their graduation, and will serve the State Government after the completion of their studies.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
