THESHIELD Garkuwa
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Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum on Thursday visited two hospitals in Maiduguri to monitor implementation of the ongoing health sector reforms he ordered, to address challenges across the State.
The Governor was at Maryam Abacha Maternal Hospital where he ordered construction of permanent quarters for doctors and other health workers.
Zulum also ordered the recruitment of 20 nurses, midwives and other health workers to bridge manpower gap at Maryam Abacha Maternal Hospital.
The Governor was also at Gwange Maternity Health centre where he ordered the installation of a solar power system to increase access to stable power supply.
For both health centres, Zulum directed the State’s Ministry of Health to roll out modalities for the procurement of additional maternal drugs and consumables towards increased support for pregnant women under a free maternal healthcare service.
Meanwhile, Zulum’s latest approval of doctors’ quarters is not the first intervention on the housing needs of health workers. Last year, 2020, the Governor approved the ongoing construction of new doctors’ quarters, located opposite Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital, which is now at completion levels.
Similarly, latest approval for the employment of nurses is also not the first. In September last year, 2020, Governor Zulum approved the recruitment of 549 medical doctors, nurses and other health workers, after previous directive for recruitment of 19 doctors and 150 nurses in July of same last year. In January this year, 2021, Zulum approved another set of 40 medical doctors.
The Zulum administration has since 2019, established 74 primary healthcare centre across the State and ordered rehabilitation of several General hospitals, and upgraded the status of General hospitals in Monguno and Biu to specialist hospitals.
Zulum also approved the ongoing construction of a teaching hospital to prepare the Borno State University to offer degrees in medicine and other health programmes through a medical college also approved by the Governor for the State University.
