Zulum unveils new salary structure for Borno doctors
Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has announced that, starting December 1, medical doctors in state-owned hospitals will receive the same salary as their counterparts in federal institutions.
Governor Zulum made the announcement on Thursday during the opening of the 65th National Council on Health (NCH) Conference in Maiduguri.
The event was themed: “Accelerating Pathways to Universal Health Coverage: Strategies for 2030 Success.”
The governor stated that the policy shift was aimed at retaining qualified medical professionals within Borno’s healthcare system and ensuring better service delivery to residents.
He expressed concern over the growing brain drain among doctors in the state’s medical institutions, which he attributed to the salary disparity between state and federal healthcare workers.
The governor revealed that the state government had allocated N301 million to support 100 medical doctors currently undergoing residency training in the state’s health institutions.
“This is a matter of great concern for all of us. I believe that the new salary structure and allowances will encourage our doctors to stay and work within Borno State,” the governor said.
He also highlighted other efforts by Borno to strengthen its health sector.
The governor reiterated the state’s commitment to the goals outlined in the Abuja Declaration, which urges all states to allocate at least 15 percent of their annual budgets to health.
Mr. Zulum noted that Borno had already made significant progress in this regard, prioritizing investments in maternal and child healthcare, health infrastructure, and disease control programs.
However, he acknowledged the ongoing challenge of high maternal mortality rates in the state, stressing that it required urgent action.
He expressed support for the Federal Government’s Maternal Mortality Reduction Initiative, which aims to eliminate financial barriers to life-saving procedures, including cesarean sections.
He stated that the initiative aligned with Borno’s commitment to improving maternal health, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
The governor also called for the establishment of a federal medical center in Borno to complement existing healthcare facilities and further enhance service delivery.
He thanked the Federal Ministry of Health for its continued support, praising its proactive efforts, especially in response to recent floods that affected the state.
Mr. Zulum emphasized the importance of collaboration between federal and state health agencies, as well as the involvement of local leaders, in improving healthcare outcomes.
He also stressed the need for a community-driven approach to healthcare, urging better coordination of humanitarian aid to ensure that healthcare interventions are well-targeted and more effective.
“As we continue to strengthen our health systems, we must ensure that every community has access to quality healthcare. This will require collaboration, coordination, and the collective efforts of all stakeholders,” he said.
The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, told reporters on the sidelines of the event that the governor’s announcement on the new salary structure was a significant step in addressing the human resource challenges faced by Borno’s healthcare system.
Dr. Anas said the move also demonstrated the state’s commitment to improving overall healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that residents, particularly women and children, have access to essential health services.
The event brought together health leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders to address critical sub-themes, including health workforce development, community engagement, and leveraging digital health solutions.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at NeptunePrime.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va74ZvU2v1IqKByXoX3d
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
